AMN / New Delhi
Delhi Minorities Commission, DMC has asked the producer the film “Nanak Shah Fakir” to desist from using insulting language and if same is repeated in the future, action will be taken against him.
The Commission has further asked the producer to explain why he presented old approval letters of the Jathedars of Akal Takht and SGPC when the same had already been withdrawn at the time of his reply. Clarifying that it does not interfere in court rulings, DMC has directed the producer to (a) tender an apology for the unacceptable language used in his communications and (b) explain why he concealed facts from the Commission and presented documents which were invalidated long before he presented them to the DMC.
DMC response came after the receipt of clarifications from the producer.
Harinder Singh Sikka has produced the film “Nanak Shah Fakir” on the life of the first Sikh Guru, Shri Nanak. A Sikh citizen of Delhi complained that this film violates Sikh sentiments and maryada. Delhi Minorities Commission sent a notice to the producer of the film to reply to this complaint.
In his reply to the DMC notice, the producer claimed that the film has the approval of the highest Sikh religious authorities (the five Jathedars of Akal Takht) and of SGPC. He attached copies of the approval letters of these authorities as well as saying that the Supreme Court of India has allowed the screening of the film. In his reply, the film producer used insulting language against DMC Member Kartar Singh Kochhar and even demanded an apology from DMC for sending him the notice. According to convention, the producer’s reply was forwarded to the complainant for comments. The complainant replied with proofs that around two months before the producer’s reply, both the five Jathedars of Akal Takht and SGPC had repudiated their earlier approval and the Jathedars had even expelled the said producer from the Sikh community.