Bhagwant Mann's Call For Free Gurbani Telecast Sparks Row

The Punjab government is set to introduce a new clause in the Sikh Gurudwara Act of 1925 to make the broadcast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple in Amritsar free for all.

The chief minister described it as the need of the hour to disseminate the 'Sarb Sanji Gurbani' across the globe with the aim of spreading the universal message of welfare of all.

"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," Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tweeted in Hindi.

A resolution will be tabled in the Assembly during the special session on June 20.

The chief minister described it as the need of the hour to disseminate the 'Sarb Sanji Gurbani' across the globe with the aim of spreading the universal message of 'welfare of all'.

Mann said Gurbani should be telecast free of cost rather than confining it to a single channel.

He said the move will go a long way in offering an opportunity to the 'Sangat' to listen to Gurbani while sitting at home, even in foreign countries.

The chief minister said it will also allow people to get a glimpse of the Sri Harmandar Sahib on their TVs and other electronic gadgets.

However, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the apex religious body for Sikhs, reacted sharply to the move, asking the government not to interfere in religious matters.

"The Punjab government has no right to amend this Act. Do not confuse the nation for your political interests. Do not try to interfere with the religious affairs of the Sikhs. Sikh affairs are related to the sentiments and concerns of the Sangat, in which governments have no right to interfere directly," SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami tweeted.