Amid escalating political tensions surrounding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed Bill for the free broadcast of Gurbani from the iconic Harminder Sahib, or Golden Temple, in Amritsar, the head of the news network responsible for the current broadcast has thrown a challenge to the entire state cabinet. Rabindra Narayan, Managing Director of PTC Network, the network in question, has challenged the cabinet to produce a single customer bill showing payment for subscribing to Gurbani. He has even offered a reward of ₹ 1 crore to anyone across the country who can provide such evidence.
Narayan emphasized that Gurbani is already freely accessible through PTC Network channels, which are designated as free-to-air channels by the Government of India. He clarified that no cable operator or DTH operator charges any money for Gurbani, and it is also available for free on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Hence, he questioned the basis for claiming to make Gurbani “Free to Air.”
In response, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann argued that Gurbani is the right of every individual and should be provided free of cost. He expressed his intention to introduce a new section to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, after presenting a proposal in the state assembly. Through this proposed amendment, the transmission of Gurbani from the Harminder Sahib would be made free for all without the need for a tender process.
The broadcast rights for Gurbani have been held by the PTC Network, owned by the politically influential Badal family, since 2007. The network pays an annual fee of ₹ 2 crore to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the governing body responsible for administering the Harmandir Sahib, for the telecast of Gurbani. The expiration of the contract between SGPC and PTC Network is slated for July 2023.
This controversial issue not only involves the debate over the broadcast of Gurbani but also holds political implications. It is expected to impact the Panthic aura of the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal, which has strong ties to the Badal family. As discussions continue, the upcoming decision on the telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple will be closely watched, shaping the future of this significant religious and political matter in Punjab.
