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Satluj: The Film That Revived the Legacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra

Remembering a Man Who Refused to Look Away

By Gurpreet Singh

Two weeks ago, I watched a gut-wrenching movie which made me realise how Punjab has been the

victim of injustice and continues to be wrongly characterised by Modi’s government.

Some films entertain. Others educate. A rare few become part of history itself.

Satluj—originally developed as Punjab ’95—belongs to the latter category. More than a biographical film, it is a powerful retelling of the life, courage, and sacrifice of Jaswant Singh Khalra, one of India’s most respected human rights defenders. His relentless search for truth exposed allegations of enforced disappearances and secret cremations during one of Punjab’s darkest periods, ensuring that thousands of forgotten victims would not simply disappear from history.

The controversy surrounding the film’s release has transformed Satluj into more than cinema. It has become part of an ongoing conversation about justice, historical memory, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of democratic societies to confront difficult chapters of their past.

Who Was Jaswant Singh Khalra?

Jaswant Singh Khalra (2 November 1952 – disappeared 6 September 1995) was a Sikh human rights activist from Punjab whose work brought international attention to allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and secret cremations during the Punjab insurgency of the 1980s and 1990s.

At a time when thousands of Punjabi families were searching for relatives who had disappeared after being taken into police custody, Khalra refused to accept silence as an answer. Instead of relying on rumours or speculation, he turned to official government records.

His investigation led him to municipal cremation registers, where he discovered records of numerous bodies being cremated as “unidentified” or “unclaimed.” Through meticulous documentation and comparison of official records, he argued that these cremations formed part of a much larger pattern involving individuals who had allegedly disappeared while in state custody.

Unlike many activists who relied primarily on testimonies, Khalra built his work upon documentary evidence, making his findings particularly significant.

His investigation attracted national and international attention and remains one of the most important human rights inquiries in modern Indian history.

 Exposing the Secret Cremations

On 16 January 1995, Jaswant Singh Khalra publicly revealed evidence that challenged the official narrative surrounding disappearances in Punjab.

He alleged that thousands of people had disappeared after being detained and were subsequently cremated without the knowledge or consent of their families.

His findings shocked human rights organisations worldwide.

Subsequent investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed more than 2,000 unlawful or irregular cremations in the Tarn Taran district alone, giving considerable weight to concerns that unlawful practices had occurred.

His work forced the issue of enforced disappearances onto the national and international stage.

Rather than allowing victims to remain anonymous statistics, Khalra sought to restore their identities and dignity by documenting evidence that families could use in their search for justice.

His Abduction and Murder

Only months after making his findings public, Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted outside his home on 6 September 1995.

He never returned.

Investigations later concluded that he had been abducted and murdered.

Following years of legal proceedings, several Punjab Police officials were convicted for their involvement in his abduction and murder. The Supreme Court of India later upheld these convictions.

Although Khalra lost his life, his work ensured that the evidence he uncovered could not easily be erased.

His courage continues to inspire lawyers, journalists, historians, and human rights defenders across the world.

Satluj: A Film Based on Real Events

Directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, Satluj tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra and his investigation into allegations of enforced disappearances and secret cremations during Punjab’s insurgency period.

The film does not merely recount one man’s life.

It explores:

• Accountability
• Justice
• Abuse of institutional power
• The suffering of families searching for missing loved ones
• The personal cost of defending human rights

One of the film’s most memorable lines asks a question that resonates throughout the story:

Who is the terrorist?

Rather than providing easy answers, the film challenges audiences to think critically about justice, state power, violence, and human dignity.

From Punjab ’95 to Satluj

Originally titled Punjab ’95, the film was completed in 2022.

However, before it could receive theatrical certification, the filmmakers stated that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requested approximately 127 cuts and modifications.

Reported requested changes included:

• Removal or alteration of references to Punjab Police
• Changes to dialogue involving state institutions
• Deletion of scenes depicting alleged custodial torture and police violence
• Changing the title from Punjab ’95 to Satluj
• Modification or removal of historical references considered sensitive

These certification disputes delayed the film’s release for several years and became a subject of public discussion regarding censorship and artistic freedom.

Release on ZEE5 and Subsequent Removal

In July 2026, the film was released directly on the streaming platform ZEE5 under its new title,

Satluj.      

However, its availability in India proved extremely brief.

Within approximately 48 hours, the film was removed from the platform in India.

ZEE5 announced that the film would remain unavailable “until further notice.”

Reports indicated that the removal followed government action citing national security concerns.

The removal generated widespread debate across India and internationally regarding freedom of expression, historical representation, and the regulation of politically sensitive films.

 Public Debate

The removal of Satluj sparked two contrasting viewpoints.

Supporters argued:

• Historical events should be open to public discussion
• Jaswant Singh Khalra’s story is an important part of Punjab’s history
• Films based on documented historical events should be accessible to the public

Others argued:

• Films dealing with sensitive historical conflicts require careful handling
• Restrictions may sometimes be necessary to protect public order or communal harmony

These differing perspectives highlight broader questions concerning democracy, censorship, historical memory, and artistic freedom.

Punjab Responds: Community Screenings Across the State

Rather than allowing the film to disappear, communities across Punjab organised their own public screenings.

These screenings transformed Satluj from a streaming release into a grassroots movement.

Screenings reportedly took place throughout:

• Amritsar
• Tarn Taran
• Ludhiana
• Hoshiarpur
• Patiala
• Bathinda
• Ferozepur
• Faridkot
• Fazilka
• Mohali
• Rupnagar
• Moga
• Muktsar

Village committees, Sikh organisations, student groups, educational institutions, and local communities organised screenings in:

• Gurdwaras
• Community halls
• Village grounds
• Universities
• Colleges

Reports suggested that several organisers conducted more than sixty screenings within only a few days.

Many participants described organising these events as “seva“—selfless community service.

Some communities also raised donations to support the filmmakers after the film was removed from streaming services.

Educating a New Generation

One of the most significant outcomes of these screenings was educational.

For many young Punjabis, Satluj became their first introduction to Jaswant Singh Khalra’s work and the unresolved questions surrounding Punjab’s insurgency period.

Universities and colleges organised discussions examining:

• Enforced disappearances
• Human rights
• Historical documentation
• Accountability
• Democratic institutions
• Freedom of expression

The film encouraged conversations extending well beyond cinema into history, law, politics, and ethics.

Why Jaswant Singh Khalra Still Matters

Decades after his death, Jaswant Singh Khalra remains an enduring symbol of courage.

His work demonstrated that documentation, evidence, and legal processes can challenge even the most powerful institutions.

Regardless of differing political interpretations of Punjab’s history, Khalra’s investigation remains an important reference point in discussions surrounding:

• Enforced disappearances
• Custodial violence
• Accountability
• Rule of law
• Protection of human rights defenders
• Historical memory

His legacy continues to inspire those who believe that truth should be documented rather than forgotten.

The Legacy of Satluj

The significance of Satluj extends beyond filmmaking.

It has become a catalyst for renewed public discussion about justice, censorship, history, and societies’ responsibility to confront painful chapters of their past.

Whether viewed primarily as a historical drama, a tribute to Jaswant Singh Khalra, or a contribution to ongoing debates about freedom of expression, the film has undeniably renewed interest in one of the most important human rights investigations in modern Indian history.

The public response demonstrates that Khalra’s story continues to resonate with new generations seeking to understand Punjab’s past and its lasting impact on the present.

Conclusion

Jaswant Singh Khalra believed that every life deserved dignity, every disappearance deserved investigation, and every family deserved answers.

Satluj brings those principles to a wider audience by presenting the story of a man who relied on evidence rather than fear and who paid the ultimate price for pursuing truth.

The film’s journey—from years of certification disputes to its brief streaming release and subsequent community-led screenings across Punjab—illustrates how historical narratives continue to shape public discourse.

Regardless of differing political perspectives, the questions raised by Jaswant Singh Khalra’s work remain profoundly relevant today: How should societies remember periods of conflict? What responsibilities do democratic institutions bear in addressing allegations of abuse? And how can justice be pursued when history itself becomes contested?

These questions ensure that both Jaswant Singh Khalra’s legacy and Satluj will remain significant for years to come.

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