The Punjab government has announced its plan to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 to ensure free telecast rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. This decision has sparked a fresh controversy, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and opposition parties criticizing the government’s interference in religious matters.
Government’s Intentions
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated that the resolution to amend the act will be discussed in a Cabinet meeting on Monday and presented in the Assembly during a special session on June 20. The government aims to enable the free telecast of sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, considering the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.
SGPC’s Opposition
The SGPC, as the apex religious body for Sikhs, strongly opposes the government’s decision and urges it to refrain from interfering in religious affairs. They assert that only the Parliament, with the recommendations of the elected Shiromani Committee, has the authority to make changes to the Sikh Gurdwara Act.
Motivation behind the Amendment
The Punjab government’s move seeks to break the monopoly of a private TV channel, PTC Network, owned by the influential Badal family, which currently holds the rights to telecast Gurbani from the Golden Temple. The government argues that making Gurbani telecast free of cost will provide the Sangat (devotees) with the opportunity to listen to Gurbani from the comfort of their homes, including those residing in foreign countries.
Criticism and Support
While opposition parties, including the Congress, question the legality of the government’s announcement and express concerns about amending a central act, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu supports the decision, emphasizing the significance of making Gurbani accessible to all without discrimination.
Overall, the Punjab government’s plan to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act to ensure free telecast rights of Gurbani has sparked a debate, with opposing views on the government’s role in religious matters and the impact it may have on existing stakeholders in the telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.
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