Bhagwant Mann – who claims that Gurbani is everyone’s right and should be free – announced this in a tweet today.
New Delhi: Bhagwant Mann’s cabinet in Punjab formalizes the decision that the broadcast of Gurbani from the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar should be free. Chief Minister Mann, who claims that Gurbani is everyone’s right and it should be free, announced this in a tweet.
“With the blessings of God, we will take a historic decision tomorrow, as per the demand of all devotees, we are adding a new clause to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 that transmission of Gurbani from Harminder Sahib will be free for all. … no selection process is required… tomorrow in the government… June 20 will be voted on in the Land Assembly,” read his tweet.
The rights to broadcast Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib have been granted by the Sikh apex body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee or SGPC to the PTC network, owned by the politically powerful Badal family. His release is expected to break the network’s monopoly and level the playing field for all TV channels.
Politically, it is likely to dilute the panthic aura of the Badal-dominated opposition Shiromani Akali Dal.
When Mr. Mann earlier suggested that Gurbani should be broadcast free, it was sharply opposed by SGPC, Badals and Akali Dal.
In a statement, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mannji should not try to confuse the religious affairs of Sikhs… Do not involve the country in your political interests. Broadcasting Gurbani is not a normal broadcast its sanctity and ethics should not be neglected”.
Daljeet Singh Cheema of the Akali Dal called the move “unconstitutional” and a “direct interference in the religious activities of the Sikh community”.
“The Sikh Gurdwara Act is subject to the Parliament. The Sikh community has elected the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee by vote to take a decision regarding the Guru Ghar under this Act of Parliament. Has the above committee passed any such resolution in this regard? Without this even the Parliament cannot amend this Act. The Sikh the community will never tolerate this work being done at the behest of (Arvind) Kejriwal,” read a rough translation of his tweet.
Other opposition parties — including the BJP and the Congress — also strongly oppose it, saying the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925 is a law passed by Parliament that cannot be changed by the state government.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira of the Congress asked how the Punjab government can change the central law.
However, Navjot Sidhu of the Punjab Congress tweeted that he was in favor of the move.
However, Navjot Sidhu of the Punjab Congress tweeted that he was in favor of the move. “Sarb Sanjhi Gurbaani” …….. means for one and all without any discrimination ………… this was the precious wishes of millions of Sikhs all over the world including me……… laudable effort by @BhagwantMann … Glory!!” his tweet read.
