Amendment to Gurdwara Act: SGPC president condemns amendment to the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925
Amendment to Gurdwara Act: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 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."
Earlier on Sunday, 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."
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਅਸ਼ੀਰਵਾਦ ਸਦਕਾ ਕੱਲ ਇੱਕ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਿਕ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ..ਸਮੂਹ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੁਦਵਾਰਾ ਐਕਟ 1925 ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਨਵੀਂ ਧਾਰਾ ਜੋੜ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਬ ਜੀ ਤੋਂ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪੑਸਾਰਣ ਸਭ ਲਈ ਮੁਫਤ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ...no tender required..ਕੱਲ ਕੈਬਨਿਟ ਚ ..20 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਚ ਮਤਾ ਆਵੇਗਾ.. — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 18, 2023
In a major update, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami at a press conference on Monday slammed the AAP Government for interfering in the Sikh affairs.
Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the amendment of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. SGPC president also hit out at AAP government in Punjab over its order to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 to ensure free telecast rights of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also read out excerpts from Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925; says, "...So, it is clear in the Act that the State Govt can't interfere (in this matter). A religious issue is being given political colours in an attempt to appease the political master sitting in Delhi. Punjab Govt can't frame this Act because it was drafted by it before the partition. It can't amend it..."
Taking a jibe at CM Bhagwant Mann, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that, “State Government should not interfere with the Gurdwara and Management Committee of Sikh religious shrines.”
In a statement, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said: "Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann ji should not try to confuse the religious matters of Sikhs... Don't confuse the country for your political interests. Broadcasting of Gurbani is not a normal broadcast, its sanctity and ethics should not be neglected".
- With inputs from agencies
