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The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is exploring all options, including launching its own YouTube channel for the broadcast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.
The development comes amid a controversy around the telecast of the hymns from Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar by the PTC Channel — a private channel liked to the Badal family. The SGPC’s existing contract for live telecast of Gurbani with G-Next Media Private Limited (PTC Channel) for the broadcast of Gurbani will expire in July.
The Punjab Assembly recently passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aimed at ensuring free telecast of Gurbani. However, the SGPC has vehemently opposed the amendment and accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of interfering in its matters.
Speaking to mediapersons in Patiala, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, when asked about the possible launch of a YouTube channel for broadcasting ‘gurbani kirtan’, said a sub-committee was looking into it.
Last month, Dhami had said that open tenders would soon be called for the broadcast of a sacred hymn. A five-member committee was also formed for this purpose.
News agency PTI reported SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal as saying Thursday that the process for the launch of SGPC’s YouTube channel has been going on for the past several months. This channel will be a part of broadcasting SGPC’s religious programmes and other activities, he said, adding that the SGPC has already earmarked Rs 50 lakh for the same. A studio will also be set up, he added.
However, the SGPC sources said the YouTube channel is likely to be used for the telecast of live Gurbani as well.
“SGPC has been exploring all options. We have offers to rent the satellite TV channel license. Someone has also offered us a license free of cost. However, there are multiple issues to consider. So we have been evaluating all aspects,” said an SGPC executive member who preferred not to be named.
“If we start our own channel, we would need to invest in it and cover maintenance costs, including government fee. We need to decide if we can run advertisements on such a channel to make it affordable. We can also ask the Sangat to contribute directly to avoid advertisements. If we allow advertisers, we would need to draw a line on what can be advertised and in what manner,” he added.
One of the issue that SGPC is concerned about is the fact that many elderly devotees may not be able to access Gurbani on YouTube as easily as they would on a satellite channel. This is also why it is keen on starting a satellite channel, and the YouTube channel could serve as a temporary arrangement until the satellite channel becomes a reality.
However, SGPC has failed to complete the process of inviting tenders for the live telecast of Gurbani.
“If the PTC Channel manages to secure the tender again in a transparent manner, it would give another opportunity to the political opponents of Shiromani Akali Dal. It may lead to another controversy. So SGPC is more interested in running its own channel rather than remaining dependent on someone else,” said the executive member.
Meanwhile, Dhami Thursday opposed the Uniform Civil Code, citing concerns about the potential erosion of traditions, culture, and the unique identity of minorities. Speaking to the media in Patiala, Dhami said the SGPC has taken a firm stand against the UCC and opposed its implementation.
On the issue of the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Dhami criticised the AAP government in Punjab for interfering in religious matters, saying it was a “direct violation of the rights of the Sikhs”.
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