Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday strongly objected to a reported television docuseries on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi titled ‘Lawrence of Punjab’.
In a statement, Warring said the series would promote and glorify gangster culture. He added that it would insult Punjab, Punjabi identity and Punjabiyat, as the sacred land of Gurus, Rishis and Pirs should not be associated with a feared criminal.
Warring said Bishnoi and his gang have allegedly been linked to the killing of popular singer Sidhu Moosewala and several other innocent people. He warned that such a series could send a wrong message to young viewers by portraying someone who should be condemned instead of highlighted.
Seeking a complete ban on the screening of the series, Warring questioned the intent of the makers. He said the project promotes crime and violence and cannot be called art or entertainment. Instead, he described it as an act that could influence youngsters towards criminal behaviour.
Warring also criticised the silence of both the state and Centre over what he called a clear insult to Punjab. He further said Lawrence Bishnoi was originally from Rajasthan and is currently lodged in Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat, adding that he has no direct connection with Punjab. He said he plans to file a Public Interest Litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a ban on the series. He argued that the show could have a harmful and dangerous impact on young audiences.
Meanwhile, ZEE5 announced the release date of the docuseries ‘Lawrence of Punjab’, which explores the rise of Lawrence Bishnoi’s criminal identity through social and cultural influences.
The platform released the trailer of the upcoming original series, produced by Riverland Entertainment and directed by Raghav Darr. The docuseries is scheduled to premiere on April 27.
As per the makers’ press statement, "Lawrence of Punjab traces the journey of a criminal identity through the lens of culture, systems, and visibility. From student politics and music to ideology and media amplification, the series pieces together how aspiration, power, and perception intersect to shape a new-age digital syndicate. With Lawrence Bishnoi as a key case study within this ecosystem, the narrative expands beyond the individual to examine the larger cultural and social context, focusing on consequences."
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