Proposal to make broadcast of Gurbani from Golden Temple free triggers massive row in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has triggered controversyby saying that he plans to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925. This is part of his plan to make Gurbani free for all. The proposed law is scheduled to be introduced in the Punjab state assembly on Tuesday, June 20.

"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.

His office also confirmed the decision. The move is“aimed at ensuring the free-to-air telecast of sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandar Sahib", an official statement said.

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However, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body responsible for themanagement of Gurdwaras in India, has slammed Mann for the move.

Gurbani, literally meaning the voice of Guru (spiritual teacher), refersto various compositions of wisdom and lessons by ten Sikh Gurus -- collectively assorted in Guru Granth Sahib in the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism.

In the form of hymns, there is a continuous singing of Gurbani in the Golden Temple -- the holiest Sikh shrine located in Amritsar in India's Punjab state -- throughout the day.

Notably, the SGPC has granted the rights to broadcast the Gurbani toone channelowned by theBadal family. The latest decision is expected to break thenetwork's monopoly.

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The government is set to introduce an amendment in the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, following which the live telecast rights of Gurbani from Golden Temple will no longer remain exclusive to PTC.

Political slugfest follows

In a tweet in Punjabi, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal condemned the proposed move and said it was the "first dangerous step towards snatching away right of 'Gurbani parchar' from 'Sikh sangat' and put the gurdwaras under the government control."

"This decision has come as a reminiscent of excesses committed by the Mughals, the British and [slain PM] Indira Gandhi, but Khalsa Panth will give a befitting reply to this," he added.

"The announcement made by Bhagwant Mann relating to the telecast of Gurbani is not merely a direct attack on gurdwaras of Khalsa Panth, but on Sikh community also."

Tweeting in Punjabi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sunil Jakhar cautioned the Punjab government that gurdwaras are meant to pay obeisance, and not to pick a confrontation. "I am of the view that there should not be monopoly over telecast of Gurbani, but it is highly condemnable the way you are interfering in Sikh religious affairs to settle political scores and I strongly oppose the move to amend Gurdwara Act (Which is not even in the domain of State’s right)," he said.

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