Controversy Erupts Over Docu-Series on Punjab Gangster: Call for Ban

On Wednesday, Punjab Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking a stay on the release of the ZEE5 docu-series 'Lawrence of Punjab'. This series revolves around the life of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Warring argues that the series risks glorifying unlawful activities by depicting Bishnoi's rise from student leader to criminal kingpin, potentially appealing to impressionable youth and creating a dangerous aspirational narrative around criminal conduct. Such a portrayal could pose a threat to public order in Punjab, a region grappling with gang culture and youth vulnerability.

The PIL seeks immediate directions for a ban or modification of the series to prevent it from glamorizing crime, along with stricter regulations for OTT platforms. The docu-series, scheduled to air on April 27, is viewed by Warring as a potential negative influence on young viewers, amidst ongoing concerns about gang culture in the state.