Protests continue in Punjab over movie screening

Chandigarh, September 20: Protests continued on Sunday at various places in Punjab for the second day over the issue of screening of ‘Messenger of God 2’ — the second movie starring controversial godman Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh of Dera Sacha Sauda sect. Sect supporters blocked railway tracks and roads at some places in south west Punjab to oppose the “unofficial ban” on the film’s screening in Punjab, putting people to inconvenience. Protestors blocked rail tracks and roads in Moga, Sangrur, Ludhia, Ferozepur, Amritsar and Jalandhar districts despite inclement weather and rain. The sect, which has its headquarters near Sirsa town in neighbouring Harya, has lakhs of followers across Punjab. The sect followers claimed that the ‘MSG 2’ film was not being screened in theatres and multiplxes in Punjab despite no official ban. They said cinema owners were not screening the movie citing law and order issues. Cinema owners are worried that members of the Sikh community would oppose the film’s screening. The sect has a history of run-ins with the Sikh community. The film, a sequel to ‘Messenger of God’ movie, was released on nearly 2,000 screens across the country on Friday.  (IANS)