Podcast on Punjab and Satluj | Diljit Dosanjh | KPS Gill | Jaswant | Secret Files with Munish Devgan

The film 'Satluj,' after a three-year struggle, was released on OTT but removed within 48 hours. Diljit Dosanjh has been advocating for its wider viewing, sparking debate on why it was banned. Aditya Raj Kaul, the co-host, expresses two perspectives: as a citizen, he supports freedom of expression, noting the film doesn't promote terrorism or separatism. However, as a national security journalist, he acknowledges the government's concern that such films could provoke violence or disrupt the fragile peace in Punjab, particularly by portraying the police in a negative light and potentially inciting anti-social elements. He believes the ban ironically increased the film's popularity.

The discussion covers the deep-rooted pain within the Sikh community stemming from events like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following Indira Gandhi's assassination. While human rights violations occurred during large-scale security operations, the podcast emphasizes that the violence against Sikhs was not by Hindus but by specific political actors within the Congress party. It highlights how Pakistan exploited these divisions, arming unemployed Sikh youth to fuel the Khalistan movement. The narrator also mentions the historical harmony between Sikhs and Hindus, rooted in the teachings of Guru Nanak and the sacrifices of Sikh Gurus for the broader Indian society, particularly for Hindus.

The British attempted to create a divide between Sikhs and Hindus post-1857. The Khalistan movement gained traction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, spearheaded by figures like Jagjit Singh Chauhan, who pushed for a separate Sikh state. The Anandpur Resolution in 1973, seeking autonomy for Punjab, was rejected by the Indian government, which saw it as separatist. This political failure, coupled with economic distress, contributed to the rise of militancy, culminating in events like the 1982 aircraft hijacking and the 1984 Operation Blue Star, which deeply scarred the Sikh community despite efforts to curb terrorism.

In the early 1990s, KPS Gill was appointed DGP of Punjab with a clear mandate to end terrorism. Given 'free hand' to tackle the insurgency during a period of political chaos, Gill implemented aggressive tactics, including forming 'death squads' and a 'bounty system' for killing terrorists. While lauded as a 'super cop' for crushing terrorism, human rights organizations accused him of orchestrating the killing of thousands of innocent people. The film 'Satluj' also portrays a critical view of Gill's actions, and a former senior police officer admitted to the host that while good things happened, there were also bad practices, including fake encounters for promotions, which he couldn't openly discuss.

Jaswant Singh Khalra, initially not an activist, became involved after meeting human rights activist Ram Narayan. Khalra independently investigated cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by the police, uncovering municipal documents detailing cremations of unidentified bodies, which police had falsely labeled as 'unclaimed' to avoid expenses. This evidence became crucial in a Supreme Court case. Khalra himself was abducted in September 1995 and was later confirmed to have been tortured and killed. The film 'Satluj' highlights Khalra's efforts but faces criticism for primarily focusing on Sikh victims and not adequately portraying Hindu casualties during the period of insurgency.

Pakistan has continuously attempted to destabilize Punjab, notably through its K2 plan (Kashmir and Khalistan) in the 1980s and 90s, fostering militancy and providing funding. Even today, Pakistan tries to incite separatism in Punjab, using unemployed youth and spreading propaganda through social media. The podcast emphasizes the importance of open discussion and storytelling, even for sensitive historical events, to prevent political exploitation and address unresolved grievances. The host believes that banning films like 'Satluj' only amplifies their message and that all stories, including those of Hindu victims and the current drug crisis, need to be told for healing and progress in Punjab.