Disney+Hotstar's upcoming web show, Grahan, has landed in trouble. The series starring Pavan Malhotra, Zoya Hussain, Anshuman Pushkar and Wamiqa Gabbi is scheduled to release on June 24 and days before, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur has demanded a ban on Grahan. According to the President, the web show allegedly portrays a Sikh character in an "objectionable manner".
At a recent press conference, Bibi Jagir Kaur told the media, "A Sikh character has been portrayed in an objectionable manner in web series ‘Grahan’ based on the 1984 Sikh genocide that took place across the country during then Congress government. In the web series, charge of the genocide is being levelled against a Sikh character which is highly condemnable and fabricated."
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Kaur stated, "A legal notice has been sent by a witness of the genocide Nirpreet Kaur to Ajay G Rai, producer of Grahan web series and Sunil Ryan, head and president of Disney+Hotstar. The SGPC also supports this notice." She added, "Through this web series, work is being done to sprinkle salt on the wounds of Sikhs and hurt their sentiments. Such films also affect communal harmony in society. Therefore, the government should enact strict information technology (IT) rules to curb such sensitive and objectionable trends."
Kaur further demanded that the censor board should include Sikh representatives to avoid controversial scenes related to their faith. She also warned the producer of Grahan and Disney+Hotstar head of legal action if any objectionable material is released.
Apart from this, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, also sent a notice to Disney+Hotstar for "objectionable content and information" shown in Grahan's trailer.
Presenting 1984 Genocide with such crooked twist is highly condemnable and shameful. We demand halting the released of Grahan. It should be released only if SGPC & DSGMC okays the content. We shall take stricter actions if @DisneyPlusHS ignored this legal notice@thetribunechd https://t.co/CswASuwqyT pic.twitter.com/6DE39pn1Mh
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 22, 2021
Legal notice served to @DisneyPlusHS for objectionable content and information shown in their Webseries Grahan Trailer which shows a Sikh involved in planning/executing 1984. Sikh Genocide
1984 carnage has been an unforgettable and unhealed wound for Sikhs @ANI @punjabkesari pic.twitter.com/gqF87JFW9l— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 22, 2021
Grahan, inspired by the novel Chaurasi by Satya Vyas, is directed by Ranjan Chandel. It follows an investigation into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
