SGPC sends notice to GTC, warns of legal action over unauthorised Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple

PTC News Desk: The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee on Thursday warned media outlet GTC of legal action over unauthorised Gurbani telecast from the Golden Temple, Amritsar. 

The SGPC raised strong objections over the unauthorised live telecast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and directed the channel to immediately stop the broadcast without due permission. 

SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that while SGPC has responded to the channel's letter regarding live broadcast, it has also served a legal notice for broadcasting Gurbani without prior approval. 

Government is politicising Sikh issues due to political rivalry: SGPC

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has raised serious questions over the Punjab government's intentions, alleging that the Sikh community is being misled over the issue of Gurbani telecast. He claimed that the government is using Sikh religious matters for political purposes due to political rivalry.

Dhami said that if the Punjab government wants to intervene in matters related to religious broadcasts, it should explain why similar questions are not raised about the religious broadcasts of other faiths. He alleged that various attempts are being made to obstruct the global telecast of Gurbani and said Sikh institutions should be supported instead of being weakened.

The apex body chief further said that the exclusive rights to the live broadcast of Gurbani rest with the SGPC and that no channel is allowed to air it without prior approval.

Dhami further alleged that GTC News Channel is linked to an MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He claimed that the channel neither approached the SGPC for permission nor held any discussions with the committee before starting the broadcast. He questioned whether the move was an attempt to display political power or interfere in religious affairs.

The SGPC president made it clear that the committee would not compromise on the sanctity of Gurbani or Sikh religious traditions. He said Gurbani must be broadcast strictly according to Sikh religious norms and the Sikh code of conduct, and any violation of these principles would not be tolerated.