Chandigarh (Punjab), August 31: A petition was filed on Saturday in Chandigarh seeking the registration of a criminal case against actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. The petition accuses Ranaut of misrepresenting historical facts and offending Sikh religious sentiments in her film *Emergency*.
The petition, submitted to the area magistrate, cites sections 302, 299, 196 part one, and 197 part one BNS. The case is scheduled for a hearing on September 17, 2024.
Advocate Ravinder Singh, former president of the District Bar Association Chandigarh and head of Lawyers for Humanity, who filed the petition, claimed that the film attempts to defame Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest Sikh institution. Singh contends that the film portrays Jathedar Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a terrorist, which he argues is unfounded. Singh asserts that Bhindranwale was a martyr, not a terrorist, as the Dharam Yudh Morcha was intended to implement the Sri Anandpur Sahib Resolution and was met with violence from the government, including an attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Singh also called for an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the film's funding, suggesting that the production finances should be scrutinized. He criticized the film for being made "without studying" the facts and noted that Ranaut’s previous films have failed.
The case accuses Ranaut of attempting to provoke religious sentiments and create discord between communities. The legal provisions cited in the petition could lead to a maximum sentence of two years if Ranaut is found guilty.
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