The Eastern Voice Correspondent

Mumbai. The sudden removal of Diljit Dosanjh’s biographical drama Satluj from ZEE5 India on July 5, 2026, just two days after its digital release, has sparked a major political controversy.

Directed by Honey Trehan, the film portrays the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated thousands of illegal mass cremations linked to the Punjab Police during the militancy period before he was abducted and murdered in 1995. Earlier titled Punjab ’95, the film remained caught in a long censorship battle and faced demands for 127 cuts.

After the film was suddenly removed in India while continuing to stream internationally, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC strongly criticized the move, calling it an attack on truth and collective memory. ZEE5 said the decision was linked to “current developments” and stated that it is exploring legal options to restore the film.

Diljit Dosanjh, who had predicted the quick ban, reacted calmly on social media using the hashtag #ichallengethedarkness. He said the suppression reflects the same silencing Khalra faced and added that the film has already reached audiences through internet downloads and local community screenings.