New Delhi/ Amritsar 7 Sep 2015: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) seems to have locked horns over the issue of alleged clearance to Singh Is Bling controversial movie. Notably, various Sikh organisations, including SGPC and DSGMC had raised objections against Akshay Kumar starrer upcoming Hindi movie Singh Is Bling after a promotional song and trailer of the movie was released few weeks ago.
SGPC and DSGMC, both under control of Punjab’s ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) have started mutual fight after SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar criticised DSGMC for allegedly granting clean chit to Singh Is Bling Movie. Avtar Singh Makkar had said that only SGPC had the right to grant clean chit to any movie against which Sikhs had any objections. He had said that DSGMC or Manjit Singh GK (DSGMC chief) had not right to interfere in these matters.
Responding to Avtar Singh Makkar’s statement, DSGMC yesterday said that it had given no clean chit to the Hindi movie Singh is Bling and the matter was pending with the Shri Akal Takht – the Supreme body of Sikhs to take final decision. DSGMC President Manjit Singh G.K. said, “A delegation of DSGMC had seen the movie, the objectionable parts were pointed out, which have been agreed by the producers to be removed and final print of movie has been sent to Shri Akal Takht to give approval”.
“We always consider SGPC as a supreme body and they are like our big brother but we would not let the big brother to bully us. Any negative comment from SGPC without a valid reason is unwarranted as whatever we do is under the command and orders of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal,” said GK.
In a written statement sent to the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN), DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK repeated that DSGMC consider SGPC as a big brother but can’t take dictations. “l will not allow them to bully us, they are a big organization and need to be more alert and proactive in dealing with issues concerning Sikhs,” reiterated GK and adds that we always look forward to compliment SGPC but not liked to be interfered. DSGMC is committed to Shri Akal Takht and is capable of taking up Sikh issues said GK.
It is notable that negative or derogatory portrayal of Sikhs in Hindi movies has been a concern for the Sikh masses for past several years. There was wide outrage against movies like “Shabad”, “Jo Bole So Nihal”, “Son of Sardar” and “Singh Is King” in recent years. The in-fight of two prominent Sikh bodies over controversial movie Singh Is Bling has invited widespread criticism over social media. This also brought the role of these two bodies under question.