CM Bhagwant Mann’s free Gurbani telecast transfer faces backlash

A decision is scheduled to be offered within the meeting through the particular session on June 20 by the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. The state authorities would alter the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, in response to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s assertion on Sunday, to make sure free transmission rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.

He posted, “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.” 

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਸ਼ੀਰਵਾਦ ਸਦਕਾ ਕੱਲ ਇੱਕ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਿਕ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ..ਸਮੂਹ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੁਦਵਾਰਾ ਐਕਟ 1925 ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਾਰਾ ਜੋੜ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਬ ਜੀ ਤੋਂ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪੑਸਾਰਣ ਸਭ ਲਈ ਮੁਫਤ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ …no tender required..ਕੱਲ ਕੈਬਨਿਟ ਚ ..20 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਚ ਮਤਾ ਆਵੇਗਾ..

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 18, 2023

The PTC community, owned by the influential Badal household of the previous chief minister of Punjab and union minister Prakash Singh Badal, has been given authorisation to broadcast Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC), the very best board for Sikhs. The transfer by the Punjab authorities will finish the community’s monopoly and degree the enjoying subject for all tv networks.

On a political degree, it’s anticipated to reduce the Shiromani Akali Dal’s pantheistic fame, which can also be managed by the Badal household. The Shiromani Akali Dal, the SGPC, and the Badal household all aggressively rejected the chief minister’s prior proposal to make Gurbani broadcasts free. Notably, the Badal Family have been reported to have a big impression on SGPC as properly.

The recent announcement has infuriated Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), who said that the Shiromani Committee, an organisation chosen by the Sikh neighborhood, might solely suggest amendments to the laws.

He tagged the chief minister and expressed his disapproval on social media. “Sir, do not try to interfere with the religious affairs of the Sikhs. Sikh affairs are related to the sentiments and concerns of the Sangat (Sikh community) in which governments have no right to interfere directly. You are talking about adding a new section by amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925.”

ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ @BhagwantMann ਜੀ, ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਲਝਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ। ਸਿੱਖੀ ਦੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਸੰਗਤ ਦੀ ਭਾਵਨਾਵਾਂ ਤੇ ਸਰੋਕਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ‘ਚ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ ਦਖ਼ਲ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੱਕ ਨਹੀਂ। ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਐਕਟ 1925 ‘ਚ ਸੋਧ ਕਰਕੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਾਰਾ ਜੋੜਨ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ, + pic.twitter.com/pAMLpuHTXW

— Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) June 18, 2023

The Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 was a chunk of laws in British India which legally outlined Sikh identification and introduced Sikh gurdwaras below the management of an elected physique of orthodox Sikhs.

The SGPC chief additional remarked, “About which process you do not know. This task can be done by the Government of India only in the Parliament with the recommendations of the Shiromani Committee, an organization elected by the Sikh community. The Punjab Government has no right to amend this Act. Do not confuse the country for your political interests.” He added that Gurbani broadcasting will not be like different types of media and that its holiness and dignity can’t be disregarded.

ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਰਣ ਆਮ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਰਣ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇਸ ਦੀ ਪਵਿੱਤਰਤਾ ਤੇ ਮਰਯਾਦਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਜ਼ਰਅੰਦਾਜ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ।

— Harjinder Singh Dhami (@SGPCPresident) June 18, 2023

The opposition in Punjab additionally reacted sharply to the declaration by the Punjab administration. Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former schooling minister of the state labelled the choice as unconstitutional and a direct interference within the spiritual actions of the Sikh neighborhood. He wrote, “Hon’ble Chief Minister, this act of yours is unconstitutional and 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,” he requested and warned, “Without that, even the Parliament cannot amend this Act. The Sikh community will never tolerate this anti-Sikh work being done under the orders of Arvind Kejriwal.”

ਮਾਨਯੋਗ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਜੀ, ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਗੈਰ ਸੰਵਿਧਾਨਕ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਕੌਮ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿੱਧੀ ਦਖਲ ਅੰਦਾਜੀ ਹੈ। ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਐਕਟ ਪਾਰਲੀਮੈਟ ਦੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੈ। ਸਿੱਖ ਕੌਮ ਨੇ ਪਾਰਲੀਮੈਂਟ ਦੇ ਇਸ ਐਕਟ ਅਧੀਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਘਰਾਂ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਲੈਣ ਲਈ ਵੋਟਾਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਚੁਣ ਕੇ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ।… https://t.co/dR9h0AlXGn

— Dr Daljit S Cheema (@drcheemasad) June 18, 2023

Congress chief, former chief of the opposition within the legislative meeting and serving MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira argued that the state can not make any modifications to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, as it’s central.

As far as my information goes Punjab authorities can not tinker or amend or add to the present Sikh Gurudwara Act 1925 as its a central act! I ponder how @BhagwantMann is talking so as to add a clause within the mentioned Act! Yes the Vidhan Sabha can move a decision and ship it to Center for… pic.twitter.com/RzcJEQUThe

— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) June 18, 2023

However, Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded Bhagwant Singh Mann-led authorities and proclaimed, “This was a cherished desire of millions of Sikhs across the globe including me.”

“Sarb Sanjhi Gurbaani” …….. means for every person with no discrimination ………… this was a cherished needs of tens of millions of sikhs throughout the globe together with me……… commendable effort @BhagwantMann ……… Kudos !! https://t.co/JQm5YiX5Nh pic.twitter.com/3gY0aqBz9o

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) June 18, 2023

The chief minister has defended his motion and opined that it’s in step with the feelings of the “Sikh Sangat around the world.” He pronounced that it’ll promote the “Sarb Sanji Gurbani” (Everyone’s Gurbani) throughout the globe in an effort to unfold the thought of the “welfare of all.”