AMRITSAR – In view of the controversies surrounding the films having Sikh characters in the past, the SGPC has decided to set up a ‘Sikh Censor Board’. This will ensure that Sikhs are projected in a proper manner and the upcoming movies are in sync with Sikh ‘rehat maryada’.
Though the board will have no legal sanctity, the SGPC is hoping that the filmmakers will opt to get a green signal from the board set up by it so as to steer clear of any controversy. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar revealed the ‘Sikh Censor Board’ would have 11 members. The board will have Sikh intellectuals and experts from various fields, including Sikh historians, film experts and lawyers. He said the constitution of the board was primarily aimed at ensuring that the films made in the future are in accordance with the Sikh ‘rehat maryada’ (code of conduct).
He said the SGPC would make efforts that any such religious film sought approval from the board prior to hitting the screens. He admitted that the board would have no legal sanctity.
He said if any filmmaker didn’t seek approval from the board, he would be responsible if any controversy cropped up. He said there had been instances when films had to face strong protests. He said the issue of setting up the board would figure in the SGPC executive committee meeting scheduled to take place in Fatehgarh Sahib on December 17.
