Freedom of speech & expression can't be applied selectively, and those obstructing it must be held accountable : MEA on Khalistani terrorists extremists who stormed movie theatres on Emergency

India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri will visit China on Jan 26 and 27th.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This visit is going to happen on January 26 and 27. The foreign secretary will be meeting his counterpart, the vice minister in China, where all issues of bilateral interest will be discussed.”

“This meeting flows from the understanding that the leaders reached in Kazan, and subsequent to that, we've had meetings at the special representatives level, and we've had foreign minister-level meetings as well. We will get a readout of what was discussed once the discussions happen. But all issues of mutual interest will be discussed,” Jaiswal said. 

India on Friday, Jan 24th, said that pro-Khalistani extremists who stormed movie theatres across the UK and disrupted the screening of 'Emergency' should be held accountable.   

British MP Bob Blackman, in the clip, said that "masked Khalistani terrorists" disrupted the screenings across the UK. He said that similar activities took place in others areas of the UK which forced the cinema owners to take down the movie.

Kangana Ranaut, who plays Indira Gandhi in the film, took to social media with a video expressing her gratitude and also voicing her disappointment regarding the film's reception in Punjab and among some Sikhs abroad. She said she was "pained" that her movie was not released in Punjab, a state, which she said is where her films performed the best.

"We've also seen several reports on how the film 'Emergency', which was being screened in several halls, was being obstructed. We consistently raise concerns with the UK government regarding incidents of violent protests and intimidation by anti-India limits. 

Freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively, and those obstructing it must be held accountable, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly press briefing.

Asserting that freedom of speech and expression can't be applied selectively, New Delhi hoped that London would take appropriate action against the culprits. 

The political drama, which sees actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut playing the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, focuses on 21 months of Emergency from 1975 to 1977. The film ran into controversy over allegations that it misrepresents the Sikh community.

"We hope that the UK side will take appropriate action against those responsible. Our mission is that our High Commission in London remains in touch and it is in regular communication with our community members for their safety and welfare," he said. 

Pro-Khalistani protesters organised protests against Ranaut's 'Emergency', disrupting the film's screening at some cinemas in the UK during its opening weekend.

Community organisation Insight UK posted a video on its X platform, showing protesters interrupting a screening of the film, directed by Ranaut, at a cinema in Harrow in northwest London.

Ranaut on Friday shared a video on social media where British MP Bob Blackman spoke in support of 'Emergency' and defended its right to be screened. She praised Blackman for raising his voice and questioned the lack of support from "Indian politicians and feminists".

"Now, this is a very controversial film. I don't want to comment on the content or the quality of the film, but I do defend the right of others to be able to view the film," Blackman said in the video.

In India, various Sikh bodies have been protesting against the release of the political drama after they claimed that the movie distorts facts surrounding the controversial period of Indian history. The film has been banned in Punjab.

The film 'Emergency', released in cinemas on January 17th, also features Shreyas Talpade, Anupam Kher and Milind Soman.

The filmmakers have claimed an "impressive" start at the box office for 'Emergency', reportedly wrapping up its first weekend with Rs 12.26 crore.

“For Indian nationals, whether in the United States or elsewhere, if they are overstaying or residing in a country without proper documentation, we will bring them back, provided the necessary documents to verify their nationality are shared with us,” said Randhir Jaiswal.

During a briefing, when asked about the number of people being taken back from the United States, Jaiswal responded, “Any discussion about numbers is premature.”

He was also asked about the ongoing discussions regarding the return of illegal immigrants from the US and the plans to send them back, and whether this would impact India's commerce and industrial ties.

“Illegal migration and trade are two separate issues. Our approach, policy, and stance on illegal migration are very clear. 

We are against illegal migration, and the reason for this is that it is linked to organized crime,” said Jaiswal.