Punjab To Bring Sikh Gurdwara Amendment Act 2023: CM Mann As SGPC Says He's 'Appeasing Delhi Master'

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann addressed a presser on amending Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 after the Sikh apex body accused him of trying "appease the political master sitting in Delhi" in reference to Arvind Kejriwal. 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the state government's move to ensure free telecast rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple will be done under a new act that may be called the 'Sikh Gurdwara Amendment Act, 2023' and the amendment will be titled "125-A live telecast of Gurbani free of cost". His remarks came after the Sikh apex body Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) accused the AAP government of trying "appease the political master sitting in Delhi" in reference to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. 

Reading out a statement, CM Mann said: "This Act may be called the Sikh Gurdwara Amendment Act 2023. It shall come into force on/and with effect from its date of publication in the official gazette. The state of Punjab, hereby, adopts and intact the Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1925 with all amendments carried out to date."

"After Section 125, the following section shall be inserted namely '125-A live telecast of Gurbani free of cost'. It shall be the duty of the board - SGPC - to propagate the teachings of the Gurus making by making uninterrupted live video audio/video of holy Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib available free of cost to all media houses/channels/outlets, whoever wishes to broadcast it," he added, insisting that the sGPC will have to provide an uninterrupted video feed without any commercials. 

Earlier in the day, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami made sharp remarks against the Punjab government over this matter. “This (Gurdwara Act) can only be amended by the Centre as the Punjab Government has got not right to do so,” he said in a presser. 

He accused CM Mann of trying to "appease the political master sitting in Delhi baabu Arvind Kejriwal", and a plot to "disturb" the Sikh Panth and SGPC.

It is not the first time that the Punjab Chief Minister has referred to the issue of the telecast of Gurbani. Last year too, he had urged the SGPC to allow the telecast of the Golden Temple Gurbani on other channels.

Making Gurbani telecast free is expected to break the Badal-owned network's monopoly to create a level playing ground for all television channels.

In terms of political impact, the Panthic aura of the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal, dominated by the Badals, could be diluted.

Opposition Questions 'Legality' Of Punjab Govt's Announcement

Akali Dal leader Daljeet Singh Cheema termed the move "unconstitutional" and a "direct interference in the religious activities of the Sikh community".

"Hon'ble Chief Minister, this act of yours is unconstitutional and a 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? Without that, even the Parliament cannot amend this Act. The Sikh community will never tolerate this work being done under the orders of (Arvind) Kejriwal," he wrote in a Punjabi tweet.

Questioning the "legality" of the announcement, Congress party's Sukhpal Singh Khaira raised similar concerns asking how the Punjab government can look to change to a central act.

However, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu supported the decision writing: "Sarb Sanjhi Gurbaani" …….. means for one and all with no discrimination ………… this was a cherished desires of millions of sikhs across the globe including me……… commendable effort @BhagwantMann ……… Kudos !!"

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