After days of uncertainty lurking over the screening of the controversial film Nanak Shah Fakir, the highest court of India has cleared decks for a nationwide release of the film based on the life and teachings of the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev.
Issuing the order, the Supreme Court directed the Centre and all the states to ensure that wherever the film is released on April 13th, “law and order is maintained and no one is allowed to create any disturbance.”
But despite the apex court’s go ahead, the film will not be released in theatres across Punjab as the makers of the film have decided against it. In their petition in the Supreme Court, the makers have stated that “looking at the sensitivity of the issue and public sentiments involved, they have decided not to release the film in Punjab for the time being".
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the makers’ decision, the Punjab government has decided not to intervene in the matter.
Issuing a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said “Any decision to ban the movie had become unnecessary in view of the filmmakers’ decision against releasing it in Punjab.”
The film has been mired in controversies ever since it was first screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) - the peak body representing the Sikhs had initially backed the release of the film back in 2015. However, the religious body later withdrew its support following widespread protests from various Sikh groups over the alleged human portrayal of Guru Nanak and his family members, which the SGPC says is against Sikhism.
Citing similar reasons, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, the Akal Takht had on Monday banned the film and appealed to the community to oppose it “in a peaceful manner”.
