After the Bombay High Court cleared decks for the release of “Udta Punjab”, which was caught in censorship row, Punjab Government on Monday said they had no objection to the movie's release.
“There is no intention of the State Government to stop the release of the movie,” Punjab Education Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Secretary and Spokesman, Daljeet Singh Cheema said.
“It is the people who will decide whether to see it or not,” Cheema said while asserting that Akali Government had never created any obstacle in the freedom of expression.
When asked to comment on the court’s decision, he said they are nowhere in the picture.
“We have not seen the story. We do not know about it and whatever (Bombay High) court has done it is right. It is up to the censor board what decision they take. We as Government are nowhere in picture,” he said.
Rival political parties had accused Nihalani of trying to subotage the release of the movie, which highlights the drug problem in Punjab, under pressure from the State Government as Punjab goes to polls next year.
Cheema, however, maintained that SAD had already said that there was AAP's “hand” in the making of movie, aimed to “defame” Punjab.
AAP, however, asserted that it has “no links” with 'Udta Punjab' and Nair had quit the party after 2014-lok Sabha polls.