Citing Central advisory, Punjab bans Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's 'MSG' screening

New Delhi: 'MSG: The Messenger of God' which has been under a cloud of controversies for the last week has been banned in Punjab. 

According to news reports, the Punjab govt banned the release of the movie following a fear of violent tensions in the state. On Friday, the movie was given certification by the Censor Board followed by a mass exodus of the board members where 10 members have reportedly resigned from their post.

The clearance also saw a wave of protests from various groups in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi against the film and several movie hall owners in Ludhiana and other parts of Punjab refused to screen the film. 

Gurmeet Ram Rahim had a press conference on Friday stating that there was nothing offensive or controversial in the movie and the protestors must watch the movie before judging the film. 

In December 2014 Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh had urged the Punjab government to impose a ban on the upcoming film saying that the sect head, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's movie