Shaan Shahid condemns India's ban on Pakistani web series, 'Sevak: The Confessions'

Actor calls out Indian government for suppressing a venture on 'true events'

The Indian government imposed a ban on Pakistani-based Vidly TV's OTT platform, apps and social media accounts in the country, which had been streaming historical events, the plight of minorities under growing Hindutva menace and gaining popularity among the Indian population.

Earlier this week, the Indian government issued orders to immediately ban the Pakistani web series, Sevak: The Confessions, reported Hindustan Times. As per the order, The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) noted that the web series aired on the OTT Platform "was found to be detrimental to national security, sovereignty and integrity alongside defence of India, security of the State, India's friendly relations with foreign States, and public order in the country."

Now, Shaan Shahid has shared his two cents on the matter. Taking to Twitter, the Zarrar actor penned, "It’s sad that a country like India that proclaims to be a champion of freedom of speech and expression is banning Vidly because of a web series that is based on true events." He added, "Do watch the series, Sevak, on Vidly, and realise the truth for yourself."

It’s sad that a country like India that proclaims to be a champion of freedom of speech and expression is banning https://t.co/iriLFO27Li because of a web series that is based on true events. Do watch the series on https://t.co/fckSAfKFuk and realise the truth for yourself. pic.twitter.com/OT13kyWAcA

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) December 13, 2022

The OTT channel's web series showed events like the Babri Mosque demolition in Ayodhya, Operation Blue Star, the Malegaon blast and the Samjhauta Express blast among others.

The ministry cited various elements in the online series as justification for this rejection. They said, "The web series portrayed an anti-India narrative on sensitive historical events and subjects of national importance. For example, operation Blue Star and its aftermath, the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, the killing of a Christian missionary named Graham Staines, the Malegaon blasts, Samjhauta Express blasts, inter-state river water dispute related to the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, etc."

The centre also said that Operation Blue Star was portrayed as a "massacre" of "innocent Sikhs," The order went on to state that the conditions in Punjab during Operation Blue Star were portrayed deliberately with strong sectarian overtones, implying that the rioting and police action was motivated due to religious concerns. "All policemen in Punjab are depicted without turbans, sending a message that non-Sikh policemen labelled the Sikh population as Khalistani terrorists," the ministry said.

The ministry also claimed that the series contained scenes that gave an inaccurate depiction of historic events. "Using religious symbols, the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 were shown to be an assault by Hindus against Sikhs," the order added. The web series stars Mohsin Abbas, Hajra Yamin, Nazarul Hassan, Nayyer Ejaz, Adnan Jaffar among others. The series is brought to life by the legendary writer Saji Gul and renowned director Anjum Shahzad.