The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj continues to escalate. Days after the film was pulled from Zee5 and public screenings in Punjab came under scrutiny, a petition has now been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking action against the alleged illegal screenings, claiming they threaten public order and communal harmony.
Petition filed to stop illegal screening of Satluj
Advocate Vineet Jindal posted a copy of the petition he filed in the HC against the public screenings of Satluj on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He wrote, “By this letter petition before the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, I am seeking appropriate action against individuals, religious organisations, and political parties involved in organising illegal public screenings of the film. Such screenings are allegedly being used to promote violence and spread hatred against a community, as well as the security agencies,” while posting it.
By this Letter petition before the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, I am seeking appropriate action against individuals, religious organisations, and political parties involved in organising illegal public screenings of the film. Such screenings are… https://t.co/Sqd9TlKOE6
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) July 11, 2026
He also added, “These illegal acts pose a serious threat to peace, public order, and communal harmony in the State of Punjab. I have, therefore, sought appropriate directions to prevent such unlawful screenings and to ensure that those responsible are proceeded against in accordance with the law.” In a video, the advocate also argued that screening a film without proper clearance or a lawful release was illegal. He urged the authorities to register FIRs and take strict action against the organisers.
More about Satluj
While Satluj is no longer available on Zee5 worldwide, the film—which chronicles activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s investigation into the extrajudicial killings of Sikh youths during the Punjab insurgency between 1984 and 1995—is being widely pirated online. mid-day has learnt that it is streaming on YouTube, uploaded by several non-profit organisations.
Earlier this week, mid-day had reported that the film was being screened in gurudwaras across Punjab (No Hiding Our History, July 9). Those screenings are now being halted by the police.
A committee set up by the Centre to examine the content of Satluj has recommended that the ban on its public access through online streaming platforms should remain, as the film allegedly goes against India’s sovereignty and integrity, government sources said on Saturday.