Punjab Congress Chief Seeks Immediate Ban On Lawrence Bishnoi Docuseries

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded a complete ban on the upcoming docuseries “Lawrence of Punjab”, alleging that it glorifies gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and promotes a dangerous culture of crime and violence. His remarks come amid growing political controversy over the streaming platform’s announcement of the series.

Warring criticised the production, stating that portraying Bishnoi as a central figure in a television series would insult Punjab’s cultural and spiritual identity. He argued that the state, known for its legacy of Gurus, Rishis, and Pirs, should not be associated with narratives that risk normalising or glorifying criminal figures. He also raised concerns that such portrayals could negatively influence young audiences.

The Congress leader further claimed that Bishnoi and his associates have been linked to multiple serious criminal cases, including the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, and said the proposed series could send the wrong message by projecting a “notorious criminal” in a mainstream entertainment format. He described the project as more than artistic expression, calling it a potential “instigation” of youth towards crime.

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Warring also questioned the silence of both the state and central governments over what he termed an “insult to Punjab,” and announced that he plans to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking action against the series. He added that Lawrence Bishnoi, originally from Rajasthan and currently lodged in Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat, should not be turned into a subject of public glorification.

Meanwhile, the streaming platform ZEE5 has announced the release of “Lawrence of Punjab”, a docuseries produced by Riverland Entertainment and directed by Raghav Darr, with a scheduled premiere on April 27. The platform has described the project as an exploration of how criminal identities evolve within broader cultural and social systems.

According to the makers, the series examines the intersection of aspiration, media visibility, and organised crime, using Bishnoi’s case as a reference point to understand larger socio-cultural dynamics. It reportedly traces influences ranging from student politics to digital amplification, aiming to present a broader narrative around the emergence of modern criminal networks.

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