New Delhi:
The Bhagwant Mann cabinet in Punjab will formalise a decision tomorrow that the broadcast of Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar should be made free. Bhagwant Mann — who contends that Gurbani is everyone’s right and it should be free of cost — made the announcement in a tweet today.
“With the blessings of God, we are going to make a historic decision tomorrow, as per the demand of all devotes, we are adding a new clause in the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 that the transmission of Gurbani from Harminder Sahib will be free for all… no tender required… tomorrow in the cabinet… on June 20, a vote will be taken in the state assembly,” his tweet read.
The rights to broadcast Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib has been granted by the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee) to the PTC network, owned by the politically powerful Badal family.
When Mr Mann had proposed earlier to make the telecast of Gurbani free, it was fiercely opposed by SGPC, Badals and the Akali Dal.
The other opposition parties too — including the BJP and the Congress — are fiercely opposing this, contending that the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 is a law made by Parliament, which the state government cannot change.
Congress’s Sukhpal Singh Khaira questioned how the Punjab government can make a change to a central act.
As far as my knowledge goes Punjab government cannot tinker or amend or add to the existing Sikh Gurudwara Act 1925 as its a central act! I wonder how @BhagwantMann is speaking to add a clause in the said Act! Yes the Vidhan Sabha can pass a resolution and send it to Center for… pic.twitter.com/RzcJEQUThe
— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) June 18, 2023
Punjab Congress’s Navjot Sidhu, though, tweeted that he was in favour of the move.
“Sarb Sanjhi Gurbaani” …….. means for one and all with no discrimination ………… this was a cherished desires of millions of sikhs across the globe including me……… commendable effort @BhagwantMann ……… Kudos !! https://t.co/JQm5YiX5Nhpic.twitter.com/3gY0aqBz9o
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) June 18, 2023
Akali Dal’s Daljeet Singh Cheema called the move “unconstitutional” and a “direct interference in the religious activities of the Sikh community”.
“The Sikh Gurdwara Act is under Parliament. The Sikh community has elected the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee through voting to take decisions regarding Guru Ghar under this Act of Parliament. Has the above committee passed any such resolution in this regard? Without that, even the Parliament cannot amend this Act. The Sikh community will never tolerate this anti-cult work being done under the orders of Kejriwal,” he tweeted.
