On Sunday, the Punjab government announced that it would amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 to grant free Gurbani transmission rights from the Golden Temple. The top Sikh religious authority, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, strongly opposed the measure and pleaded with the government to stay out of matters of faith.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 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,” he said in a tweet.
Mann stated in a formal statement released here that the Monday Cabinet meeting will clear the resolution’s agenda. He said that the resolution would be brought up in the Assembly’s extraordinary session on June 20. The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, according to a statement. This historic decision would ensure the free-to-air telecast of sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar.
Mann asserted that the choice is in line with the sentiments of the “Sikh Sangat worldwide.” The chief minister said that in order to convey the message of “welfare of all,” it is necessary to transmit the “Sarb Sanji Gurbani” over the world.
Gurbani, according to Mann, should not be restricted to a particular channel but rather telecast for free. He claimed that the action will significantly increase the ‘Sangat’s’ ability to hear Gurbani while lounging at home, even in other nations. According to the chief minister, it will also let people to view Sri Harmandar Sahib on their televisions and other electronic devices.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee head H S Dhami responded to the decision by saying that the Punjab government shouldn’t meddle in Sikhs’ religious affairs and that it has no jurisdiction to change the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.
Mann has previously brought up the problem with the Gurbani transmission. He had petitioned the SGPC to permit the Golden Temple Gurbani to be broadcast on other channels also the previous year. A private TV channel is currently airing the sacred hymn.
