Warring seeks ban on ZEE5 series on Lawrence Bishnoi, plans PIL

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Chandigarh, April 21

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday called for a ban on the upcoming ZEE5 docu-series “Lawrence of Punjab”, alleging that it promotes and glorifies gangster culture. Warring said he would move a Public Interest Litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to stop the release of the series, warning that such content could negatively influence young viewers. The show is scheduled to premiere on April 27.

According to its makers, the series explores the evolution of a criminal identity through themes of culture, systems and visibility, presenting Bishnoi’s life as a case study within student politics, music, ideology and media amplification. Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, is currently lodged in a Gujarat jail and faces multiple criminal charges. He is among the key accused in the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala and has also been named by the National Investigation Agency in several major cases. In September 2025, the Canadian government designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.

The Ludhiana MP said that glorifying criminal figures is unacceptable and could mislead the youth. “Punjab’s youth deserve better, not content that misguides and endangers their future. Turning criminals into heroes is dangerous,” Warring said in a post on X.

In a subsequent statement, he said the series would not only promote gangster culture but also undermine Punjab’s identity, adding that the land of gurus, rishis and pirs should not be associated with such figures. He held Bishnoi and his associates responsible for the killing of Sidhu Moosewala and several other innocent people.

Warring also criticized the creators for encouraging narratives centred on crime and violence and questioned the lack of response from both the state and central governments over what he termed an insult to Punjab.