Censor board nod to MSG causes stir in Punjab

BATHINDA: The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal's (FCAT) decision to clear the controversial movie of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's 'MSG: The Messenger of God' gave the Punjab police some tense moments on Friday. Apprehending trouble, the police staged flag marches in Rama Mandi and Sangat towns in Bathinda district and Amritsar city and beefed up security around the dera's biggest branch at Salabatpurta.
However, dera followers celebrated the occasion and started leaving to watch the movie's premiere at Gurgaon immediately after the dera head tweeted that the screening will be held at Leisure Valley Ground.
Radical Sikhs flayed the FCAT's decision and vowed not to allow its screening in theatres in Punjab. On the other hand, in a bid to ensure the movie reaches the masses, dera followers have planned to distribute CDs of the film to anybody willing to watch it.
Around 5,000 dera followers left for Gurgaon in the wee hours of Friday to watch the premiere. The dera head on Friday morning had tweeted: "ur wait is over. Today MSG-The messenger of God film premiere show will be held at 1pm at Leisure Valley ground Gurgaon".
"We are happy that the censor board cleared the film. After coming back from Gurgaon, we will distribute CDs of the film in Punjab," said dera follower Malkit Singh, who was heading for the premiere.
Dera spokesman Pawan Insan said, "When we announced at 2.20am that the film premiere will be held on Friday, tens of thousands of followers rushed to the venue. We are hopeful that the film will be screened without any resistance in Punjab and Haryana."
Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal said, "We will not allow the screening of the film in theatres in Punjab at any cost. Sikhs will ensure that the film is not screened at any public place other than the Dera Sacha Sauda branches." He added that Sikh groups would appeal to Akal Takht jathedar to honour censor board chairperson Leela Samson for resigning in protest against the clearing of the film.
United Akali Dal convener Gurdeep Singh said that Sikhs would gherao cinema halls if the film was shown in Punjab. Bathinda SSP Inder Mohan Singh said that police patrolling has been intensified at all vulnerable points and personnel have been asked to remain on high alert.