Punjab CM Mann’s call for free Gurbani telecast sparks row, SGPC opposes move

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government will table a resolution in the Assembly during the special session on June 20.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the state government will amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, to ensure free telecast rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.

“In a historic decision aimed at ensuring the free-to-air telecast of sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925,” an official statement said.

However, the move has drawn the ire of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who argued that changes can only be made to the act with the recommendations of the Shiromani Committee, an organization elected by the Sikh community.

“The Punjab government has no right to amend this Act. Do not confuse the nation for your political interests,” Dhami said in a series of tweets. “Do not try to interfere with the religious affairs of the Sikhs. Sikh affairs are related to the sentiments and concerns of the Sangat, in which governments have no right to interfere directly,” he added.

Gurbani is a sacred hymn, that is presently telecast by a private TV channel. The SGPC chief argues that its telecast is not ordinary, and that its sanctity and dignity cannot be ignored.

The opposition in Punjab also reacted sharply to Mann’s announcement. Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira argued that the state cannot make any changes to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, as it is “Central”.

“I wonder how Bhagwant Mann is speaking to add a clause in the said Act…The purpose of my tweet is on the question whether state govt is entitled to do so and on the legality of the announcement made by CM only,” Khaira questioned.

However, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu welcomed the move. “Sarb Sanjhi Gurbaani” â€æâ€æ.. means for one and all with no discrimination â€æâ€æâ€æâ€æ this was a cherished desires of millions of sikhs across the globe including meâ€æâ€æâ€æ commendable effort @BhagwantMann â€æâ€æâ€æ Kudos !!” he said in a tweet.

However, Bhagwant Mann argued that the decision to make the telecast free for all is in consonance with the feelings of the ‘Sikh Sangat across the globe, a PTI report said. He said the move would disseminate the ‘Sarb Sanji Gurbani’ across the globe with the aim of spreading the universal message of ‘welfare of all’.