Haryana lifts ban on 'Sadda Haq'

Haryana Wednesday lifted the ban imposed last month on the screening of Punjabi movie "Sadda Haq". The ban was lifted following the Supreme Court's recent nod to allow the screening of the film after making some cuts.

"The Haryana government has lifted the ban on the exhibition of film 'Saada Haq' in the state subject to the condition that the observations of Supreme Court and provisions of other applicable laws are compiled with in letter and spirit," a state government spokesperson said here.

"Only the duly corrected version having certification from Central Board of Film Certification would be exhibited in full conformity to law," the spokesperson added.

Slated to be released early last month, the film was banned by Punjab and Haryana states and the Chandigarh Administration as it dealt with the controversial subject of the days of terrorism in Punjab. The state had witnessed a bloody phase of terrorism from 1981-1992.

Producer-actor Kuljinder Singh had described the decision to ban the film as "shameful".

The film had got clearance from the censor board but the authorities in these states decided to impose a ban on it. A panel of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had also cleared the film for screening in Punjab earlier.

"This is a blot on democracy. The censor board had already cleared the film," the film-maker said.

The release of the film was opposed by some right wing groups.