Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, today said the makers of Diljit Dosanjh- starrer “Satluj” cannot hide behind the excuse of “creative freedom” while presenting disputed claims as established history.

“I challenge the producer and director of ‘Satluj’ to place before the people of Punjab, the complete documentary evidence, official records, judicial findings and authenticated data that conclusively establish the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies portrayed in the film.

BJP parliamentary board member Iqbal Singh Lalpura said, “Everybody should stay in their limit. When Jaswant Singh Khalra spoke about 25,000 missing people, he gave a message. This claim was verified by the NHRC. If Bittu wants the data, he can seek it from the NHRC.”

If this figure is merely an estimate or allegation, why was this projected as an established historical fact? Why were viewers not informed that this number has not been conclusively established by any final judicial determination?” he said.

Bittu said, “Punjabis deserve answers for equally disturbing omissions and selective portrayal of Punjab’s darkest chapter. Why are the massacres of innocent Hindus, bus passengers, shopkeepers, government employees, labourers and ordinary citizens brutally killed by terrorists not depicted with the same intensity? Why is the immense sacrifice of Punjab Police personnel, security forces and countless brave citizens who fought terrorism being underplayed?”

Bittu said, “I call upon the makers of ‘Satluj’ to publicly release the documentary basis for the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies within a reasonable time. If they fail to substantiate this claim with credible and verifiable evidence, they owe the people of Punjab a clear public clarification.”