Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday intensified his criticism of actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh over Satluj, alleging that the film presents a distorted narrative and contains claims that are “100 per cent misleading".
“I have lost all respect for Diljit Dosanjh. He must have come under some Khalistani influence so that he agreed to do this movie," Bittu said.
The minister also questioned the circumstances surrounding the film’s release, claiming it had been brought out hastily.
“They also released the movie in a rush. I don’t think I can respect him anymore. The facts in the movie are 100 per cent misleading," he said.
According to Bittu, the film draws a connection between the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and Operation Blue Star while failing to present the full picture of the violence from that period.
He argued that the narrative focuses on the police and terrorists but overlooks the civilians who lost their lives. “In the movie, you only talk about the police and the terrorists, but why don’t you talk about the innocent people who died?" Bittu asked.
Ahead of an ardas scheduled for Tuesday, Bittu urged the Sri Akal Takht Sahib to remember all innocent victims during the prayers. “I appeal to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is going to perform the ardas tomorrow, that it should also do the ardas for all the innocents," he said.
While maintaining his criticism of the film, Bittu said his remarks were not directed at Dosanjh as an individual. “We don’t have a problem with Diljit Dosanjh. We don’t want any politics over it," he said, adding that he would meet the family of Jaswant Singh Khalra.
The Union minister further alleged that Khalra’s suffering had been exploited and backed the demand made by Khalra’s wife for the establishment of a commission.
“The wife of late Jaswant Singh Khalra has said that a commission should be formed. I agree with that demand. It is correct to form a commission so that we can all see the truth," Bittu said.
Bittu also challenged both Indian and international media organisations to substantiate the figure of 25,000 killings cited in relation to the events depicted in the film, describing the number as “fake".
“I challenge the national and international media to bring me the facts pertaining to the number of 25,000 killings, which is a fake number," he said.
The minister additionally criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that the party had chosen to hold community screenings of the film.
“I have stayed silent for many days, but this is the same Akali Dal which decided to broadcast it through community screenings," Bittu said.
Also Read | BJP Moves Within Six Seats of Historic Rajya Sabha Majority After Bengal Gain
Also Read | 'Khela Hobey Divas' now 'Ayushman Divas': BJP's Tit-for-Tat Response to Didi
