Who is Jaswant Singh Khalra? Sikh activist whom Diljit Dosanjh is playing in his controversial film Punjab 95

Punjab 95 Release Update: One of the most controversial theatrical releases of Indian cinema is seemingly ready to see the light of day. Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra is all set to arrive on the big screen after several delays in February 2025. Before we talk about why is this biopic so controversial, let¡¯s know about the revolutionary Diljit is playing in his next.

Who is Jaswant Singh Khalra?

A Sikh activist from Punjab, Khalra is known for his work exposing human rights violations during the Punjab insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s. He was born on September 18, 1952, in Punjab¡¯s Amritsar. Initially trained as an engineer, Khalra became involved in social issues and human rights work as the state of Punjab faced violent conflict and harsh counterinsurgency measures by the Indian government.

View this post on Instagram

During this period, thousands of people were killed or disappeared by the Punjab police, many of whom were innocent civilians. The police would often label these victims as militants to justify their actions. Khalra, through his investigations, uncovered that the police were responsible for secretly killing these individuals and cremating their bodies to hide the evidence. He documented these findings with official records and witness testimonies.

In 1995, Khalra made his findings public, revealing that thousands of people had been subjected to extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances. His efforts to bring attention to these abuses made him a target of the authorities. In September 1995, he was arrested by the Punjab police and was tortured while in custody. His whereabouts remained unknown for months, and his body was later found showing signs of severe torture.

View this post on Instagram

Khalra¡¯s death became a symbol of state repression and a call for justice. His work helped raise awareness about human rights abuses in Punjab, though many of those responsible for the killings were never held accountable.

Why is Diljit Dosanjh¡¯s Punjab 95 so controversial?

Punjab 95 has been at the centre of controversy ever since its first look was released in July 2023, with a promise of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). However, the film was not showcased there and the situation surrounding its release became increasingly complex.

Originally titled Ghallughara, this Honey Trehan directorial changed the name first because it referred to a massacre of Sikhs in the 17th century, which could have further complicated the film's reception. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) raised concerns that certain scenes in the film could incite violence and impact India¡¯s diplomatic relations with other countries.

World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival!

Presenting the first look of Punjab ¡®95, a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji ??@honeytrehan @rampalarjun @Suvinder_Vicky #GeetikaVidyaOhlyan @kukuhere @ronniescrewvala¡­ pic.twitter.com/PmTC1Fxxhz

¡ª DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) July 24, 2023

As a result, the CBFC demanded significant cuts, initially suggesting 85 edits then straight up 120 cuts leaving everyone fuming. Khalra¡¯s wife, Paramjit Kaur Khalra back then publicly condemned the CBFC's demands. She stated that the family had given their consent for the film and had reviewed the script over four years ago. In fact, the family had already watched the film in 2022 and expressed satisfaction with how the biopic depicted Khalra¡¯s struggle for justice.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.