India’s banned Sikh activist film draws village audiences in Punjab

A film about a Sikh activist banned by Indian authorities is drawing audiences in Punjab villages today despite the prohibition, Nikkei Asia reports. The underground screenings underscore rising tensions over censorship and speech in India as communities seek access to politically sensitive content. It matters now because enforcement of the ban appears uneven, and the film’s traction could become a flashpoint for law and order in the state.

Villagers are gathering after dark in makeshift venues and courtyards, watching via portable projectors and file shares on WhatsApp and Telegram, according to Nikkei Asia. The outlet adds that local police have issued warnings and conducted sporadic checks while organizers circulate copies through USB drives and phones. Watch for potential arrests, broader digital takedowns, and whether courts or the Punjab government intervene next. [Developing. This article will be updated.]