An Australia-based Sikh council has demanded a ban on the release of actress and Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film ‘Emergency’ in the country.

Terming ‘Emergency’ as a propaganda film, the council alleged that it misrepresents historical events and is “derogatory to Sikh martyrs” and would cause unrest among the Sikh Punjabi community.

In a letter to Village Cinemas, an Australia-based multinational film exhibition brand, the Sikh Council wrote, “We are deeply concerned about the screening of this propaganda film in your cinemas. The film reportedly portrays the heroic role of former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi and Sikh martyrs in a manner that is highly derogatory and misrepresents historical events that are significant and painful to the Sikh community”, the ASC letter said.

It said, “The film is likely to cause unrest amongst the Sikh Punjabi community and non-Hindutva supporters and Hindu (BJP-Modi) supporters in Australia.”

The council also said that the release of the film could disrupt peace and harmony in the country. It said, “The negative portrayal of Sikh community leader Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale in the film has caused concern.”

The Council further said, “The screening of this film will increase political tension between the Sikh and Hindu communities in Australia and will hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs.”

Earlier, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Akal Takht Sahib had demanded a ban on the film.

Sri Akal Takht Sahib had issued a statement warning the Censor Board not to release the film.