Release of Punjabi film Kaum de Heere based on Indira Gandhi's assassination stalled

Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 21 August 2014 withheld the release of Punjabi film Kaum de Heere or Diamonds of the Community. The film depicts and glorifies the act of two Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh who assassinated the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.

Kaum de Heere, supposed to be released on 22 August 2014, was barred from release following a controversy. The objection on the release of the film was raised by Congress and BJP unit of Punjab asking for a ban on the release of the film.

Taking into account the demand for banning the film, Union Home Ministry had communicated to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that the film may affect the communal harmony in Punjab and other northern states because some of the content of the film was highly objectionable.

However, the film's producer, Pardeep Bansal, said that the film is based on true incidents and as per the findings of the Justice Thakkar Commission. The Commission had probed the assassination of Gandhi. Director of the film is Ravinder Ravi.

Background of Indira Gandhi Assassination
Indira Gandhi was shot by her Sikh bodyguard in 1984 in revenge for Operation Bluestar under which the soldiers entered the Golden Temple (most holy shrine of Sikh community) of Amritsar, Punjab to flush out militants holed up there.

She was assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards namely Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. Beant Singh was killed by the police shortly after the murder of Gandhi, whereas Satwant Singh was later hanged.

After the assassination, thousands of Sikhs were killed in revenge riots of killing of Gandhi.

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