Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposed by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was passed in the state assembly today. The chief minister said that Gurbani is for all and I want to ensure that everyone can hear and see it. On any channel they like.
‘Gurbani free for all’
The newly passed bill is an addition to a section in the Sikh Gurudwara Act, 1925, which makes the broadcast of Gurbani free for all. The bill also has a clause that any channel which airs Gurbani – which has been broadcast from the Harmandir Sahib in the morning and evening since 1998 – can run any advertisements half an hour before or after it airs, the Punjab CM said.
The broadcast right for Gurbani is currently with the PTC Network. The Network, owned by the Badal family since 2007, pays the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Rs 2 crore for this annually. The contract between the SGPC and the PTC Network expires in July 2023.
Bhagwant Mann said that the organization should not oppose the move. “I am not stopping the channel from airing Gurbani, all I am saying is that every channel should have the right to do so,” he said.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu applauds the move
Lauding the CM’s move, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted: “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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