Ruckus on Nepali Film in Sikkim, Banned Till Issue is Resolved 

Siliguri, 15th June 2022:

The Sikkim government has imposed an interim ban on the release of the much-awaited Nepali film ‘Kabaddi 4’ in the Himalayan state following appeals made by organisations and monks in the state. Giving this information through social media, Sikkim Minister PS Tamang (Golay) said, “Keeping in mind the sentiments of the people of Sikkim and various associations and organisations, the state government has decided to ban the release of Kabaddi 4 in the state until the dispute is resolved in an acceptable manner.”

‘Kabaddi 4’ is now running for three weeks in Nepal. It was to release in India on June 17. , It will be screened in Gangtok, Namchi and Melli in Sikkim and neighbouring areas of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Siliguri in West Bengal.

A few days before its release in Sikkim, the film faced tremendous opposition in the state. Monks and various associations expressed their outrage after ‘Kabaddi 4’ actress Miruna Magar slapped a young Sadhu for alleged indecent behaviour during a promotional event for the film in Kathmandu.

They appealed to the Sikkim government and theatre owners to hold the film’s release in Sikkim until the monk gets justice. Some protesters even threatened to take to the streets.

Another demand was that Miruna should apologize with a video statement from her social media account. Speaking to the media after an event on Tuesday afternoon, the Chief Minister stressed that the ban on ‘Kabaddi 4’ in Sikkim is not a complete ban.

He said, “It is not a complete ban. We have banned it for now till the dispute is settled. We took this decision because various organisations came forward against the film and said that their sentiments were hurt. If an agreement is reached and the organisations agree to it, we will lift the ban.”

Religious sentiments are high in Sikkim and one of the 32 assembly seats is also reserved for Buddhist monks. The film’s executive producer Anmol Gurung said, “We are trying our best to pacify the protesters. The film has not hurt any religious sentiments in any way.”