'Udta Punjab' war: BJP using CBFC like a 'puppet', alleges AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday went all guns blazing at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Akali Dal over the growing dispute over 'Udta Punjab', a film highlighting the rampant drug menace and its impact on the youth in Punjab, saying they have been using the office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) like a 'puppet' to further their agenda.

Talking to ANI, AAP leader Raghav Chaddha also welcomed the Bombay High Court's observations wherein it has asked the CBFC as to how it can ask the movie-makers to delete words like 'MP', 'MLA' and 'election' from the film.

"The fact is that the office of the CBFC has been essentially reduced to the role of a puppet, which is controlled by none other than the BJP and the Akali Dal combined. They are using their office to further their agenda," said Chaddha.

He further asserted that the drug lords are flourishing in Punjab only because they enjoy serious political patronage from the ruling BJP and the Akali Dal.

"If there is anything that brings disrepute to Punjab, it is drug abuse. The movie doesn't reflect badly on the state of Punjab. It only mirrors reality. So rather than banning the movie, drug needs to be banned in Punjab," he added.

Yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal went hammer and tongs at the BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal alliance in Punjab, saying it has become increasingly clear from the censorship the film is facing that the BJP, Modi ji and Akali Dal have accepted their defeat in Punjab.

While hearing the matter, the High Court had yesterday asked the CBFC whether it was suggesting that the movie only depicts Punjab as a drug capital.

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The court further asked the petitioner- Phantom films- whether all the 13 suggestions by the CBFC are bad.

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The High Court earlier allowed the company to amend its petition, allowing them to challenge the Censor Board's order suggesting 13 cuts in the film. It has now posted the petition filed by Phantom films, one of the producers of the movie, for further hearing for today.

Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, 'Udta Punjab', a highly talked about movie that is being keenly anticipated by a large section of youth is based on substance abuse in Punjab.

The movie also starring Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh was slated to release on June 17.