CM Bhagwant Mann in soup over announcement on Gurbani broadcast from Golden Temple

Chandigarh, June 18: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday sparked a controversy after he announced the amendment of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 and said that "broadcasting of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib will be free for all...no tender required."

Taking to Twitter, Bhagwant Mann said in Punjabi, "With God's blessings, we are going to make a historic decision tomorrow..according to the demand of the congregation, we are adding a new clause in the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 that the transmission of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib will be free for all...no tender required."

The decision of the Punjab Government has been condemned by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

'Do not try to interfere with religious affairs of Sikhs'

Reacting to the announcement on amending Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami told CM Bhagwant Mann not to interfere with the religious affairs of Sikhs.

"Chief Minister @BhagwantMann 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, in which governments have no right to interfere directly. You are talking about adding a new section by amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925," he tweeted.

'Clear violation of constitution of India & betrayal of Nehru-Tara Singh Pact'

Condemning the move, Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba termed it a "clear violation of the constitution of India and betrayal of the Nehru-Tara Singh Pact."

"The impugned act of amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 is a clear violation of constitution of India and betrayal of the Nehru Tara Singh Pact which promised that no amendment to the Gurdwara Act shall be made unless agreed to by the apex body of the Sikhs, SGPC It is an act of Parliament and the Punjab Government has no jurisdiction over it," he said, adding "Further, Article 26 of the Constitution of India gives a fundamental right to every religious denomination to manage its own affairs in matters of religion."

"The purported act Punjab government takes the clock back to Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar of 1920s. It is for the SGPC, Akalis of all shades to unitedly fight this divisive menace and get the matter settled once and for all."

There is already a draft ready of the All India Gurdwara Act, written by Justice Tiwana Panel and SGPC should ask for its enactment as soon as possible," Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba added.