MSG Row: Jalandhar multiplexes drop screening idea; Protests in Punjabm Haryana & Delhi; Malwa on Alert

Jalandhar:,January 17, 2015 : After the last-minute clearance to “Messenger of God” (MSG) by the Censor Board, the multiplex and cinema owners in the region have decided not to screen the contentious film featuring controversial godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

RV Sharma, manager of a Jalandhar multiplex, said: “We have been getting warnings on Whatsapp. We cannot endanger the lives of our staff and visitors for a movie. We have all unanimously decided not to screen the movie. No cinema hall has added the film in their schedule for the week even after clearance. We have consulted the members of the Northern India Motion Pictures Association, who, too, are of the same view.”

Onkar Singh, manager of PVR Cinema, said: “Our film schedule is communicated to us from our corporate office in Gurgaon. So far, there has been no word on adding the movie to the schedule.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police Charanjit Singh said he had asked the cinema owners if they wanted any security. “They have all said that since they are no screening it, there was no need to beef up security,” he said.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was in Jalandhar in connection with NRI Sangat Darshan, refused to comment on the issue.

Protest in Delhi against Messenger of God (MSG)

MSG Row: Jalandhar multiplexes drop screening idea; Protests in Punjabm Haryana & Delhi; Malwa on Alert
Sikh activists protest against MSG in New Delhi (Jan. 16, 2015)

New Delhi: Members of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managemnet Committee (DSGMC) and Badal Dal took to streets against clearance granted to controversial movie by Sirsa based godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim. They demanded ban on the movie.

Police take out flag march in Mukatsar

Muktsar: The Muktsar police on Friday took out a flag march in the city in the ongoing Maghi Mela. Sources said the march was taken out to spread a message among people to maintain law and order in view of the release of “MSG”.

Protests in Sonepat, Haryana

Sonepat: Activists of the Indian National Students’ Organisation (INSO), youth wing of the Indian National Lok Dal, on Friday staged a protest at the ITI Chowk in Sonepat against clearance to the controversial film Messenger of God.

Punjab’s Malwa belt on high alert

Moga: The Punjab Government has sounded an alert in the Malwa belt in view of the controversy stirred “MSG”. A senior police officer said at least 15 companies of PAP and Reserve Battalions had been deployed at vulnerable places in the Malwa belt as a precautionary measure.