SAD-BJP Govt. doesn't want drugs menace in Punjab to be exposed: Congress on 'Udta Punjab'

Taking a potshot at the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP Government in Punjab, the Congress on Saturday said the ruling alliance does not want the film 'Udta Punjab' to be released as it would "expose the real face of the state in front of the nation".

"The film is being stopped because the Akali Government along with the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) does not want Punjab to get exposed in front of the nation. The way drug mafias are working under the government, and the youth are under the influence of drugs, the role of the Censor Board in such circumstance is very much objectionable. The people of the nation have full faith in the judiciary that the right to freedom of expression would be given to them," All India Mahila Congress president Shobha Oza told ANI.

The Bombay High Court yesterday adjourned the hearing of Shahid Kapoor starrer 'Udta Punjab', a film highlighting the rampant drug menace and its impact on the youth in Punjab, and said it will pronounce its order on the matter on June 13.

The High Court, which is presently hearing a case against 'Udta Punjab', told the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that the multiplex audience is mature enough, adding that people should be allowed to see the film as everybody has a choice.

During the hearing, the CBFC lawyer informed the court that the words used in the songs of the film are very offensive, the scenes in the movie which have been asked to cut are very vulgar, the dialogue "zameen banjar to aulaad kanjar" is also very abusive and the dog, which has been named as Jackie Chan, which is also objectionable.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley had on Thursday said film certification norms will have to be liberal and 'some very radical changes' will be announced over the next few days.

The film ' Udta Punjab' was handed down 89 cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and its makers have appealed in the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal (FCAT).

FCAT is expected to hear the case on June 17 when the film was scheduled for release.

The CBFC has contended that ' Udta Punjab', a drug-themed crime thriller, needed several cuts as it cast the state in a bad light by giving an impression that most people there were addicts.

The numerous cuts sparked a confrontation between Bollywood filmmakers, the censor board and political parties.

On the row, Jaitley said, "I think that we are overstating it because at the end of the day, you have a board which takes a view which may be a little conservative view but then at the appeal tribunal, with an appeal, it can get disposed of. My experience has been almost everything then gets cleared."