New Delhi: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday accepted a proposal to modify the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, to enable "free telecast rights" of Gurbani from the Golden Temple, according to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, news agency PTI reported.
Mann further stated that the administration will introduce an amendment Bill in the state legislature to address this issue.
Mann stated in an official release that the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Act, 2023 will pave the way for the elimination of'modern day masands' excessive influence over the free to air transmission of the sacred Gurbani.
According to the statement, the Cabinet has approved amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 and inserting Section 125 A into the Act, imposing an obligation on the SGPC to provide "free to air" live transmission of the sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), PTI reported.
ALSO READ | Bihar: After CM Nitish Kumar's 'Spying' Allegation, Jitan Manjhi's HAM Formally Severs Ties With JD(U)
Mann asserted that the decision is in line with the sentiments of the world's Sikh Sangat.
The chief minister termed it as an urgent necessity to propagate the 'Sarb Sanji Gurbani' over the world in order to preach the universal message of 'welfare for all'.
He believes the effort will go a long way towards allowing the 'Sangat' to listen to Gurbani while sitting at home, even in distant nations. According to the chief minister, it would also let people to see the Sri Harmandar Sahib on their televisions and other electronic devices.
ALSO READ | Manipur Violence: Govt To Build Nearly 4,000 Homes For Displaced People, Says CM N Biren Singh
Earlier, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president H S Dhami had stated that the Punjab government should not intervene in Sikh religious affairs and that it does not have the authority to change the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.