Punjab: Giani Raghbir Singh takes charge as new Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib
Amritsar, June 22: Giani Raghbir Singh assumed the position of the new Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, on Thursday. Giani Raghbir Singh has taken over from Giani Harpreet Singh as the new Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar.
The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Sardar Harjinder Singh Dhami, stated that SGPC has decided to appoint Giani Raghbir Singh as the new Jathedar, and he has now officially assumed the role. Sikh leaders from all five Takhts, including Sirmaur Jathebandis, Damdami Takhsal, and Nihang Sikhs Sirmaur Jathebandis, were present to congratulate Giani Raghbir Singh on behalf of the entire SGPC.
After the ceremony, the SGPC plans to meet Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit later in the day to discuss the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Act 2023. SGPC president Dhami mentioned that they will hold a meeting with the Governor at 4.30 pm regarding the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Act.
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The amendment has stirred controversy in Punjab since Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the amendment to make the airing of Gurbani from the Golden Temple free for all media houses to telecast.
Despite resistance from political parties and the SGPC, the Punjab Assembly passed the Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to make the broadcast and telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple free for all without requiring tenders.
The bill faced opposition from SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, who argued that the state government lacked the authority to bring such a bill. Congress MLAs staged a walkout from the assembly over their demands, asserting that the state government cannot amend the Sikh Gurudwaras Act.
However, the bill was approved by the Punjab Cabinet on Monday. Bhagwant Mann stated that the amendment is intended to eliminate the undue control of 'Modern Day Masands' over the free-to-air telecast of the sacred Gurbani. The Chief Minister emphasised that the amendment aims to ensure that the Holy Gurbani is not commercialised and can be accessed by all humanity free of cost.
In the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, a new section 125-A will be inserted for the live telecast of Gurbani free of cost. Bhagwant Mann clarified that it is not an attack on Panth but an effort to spread the message of Gurbani worldwide. He asserted that the state government has the authority to amend the act, as the Apex court had previously ruled that it is not an inter-state act.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the dominance of a single family in the affairs of the SGPC has caused irreparable damage to the Sikh Panth. He emphasised that the amendment is not aimed at granting rights to any specific channel or individual but aims to ensure the free-to-air telecast of sacred Gurbani globally.
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- ANI
