The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will broadcast Gurbani from the Golden Temple on its own YouTube channel and other social media platforms. It will also roll out a satellite channel in the next three months, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami Friday said.
“The SGPC will roll out its own YouTube channel on July 24 for the live broadcast of Gurbani,” Dhami said.
The channel will be named ‘Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Sri Amritsar’ and will carry the logo of the SGPC, he added.
Dhami was addressing media after a special meeting of the SGPC’s Executive Committee (EC).
He said the Gurbani broadcast agreement with the GNext Media (PTC channel), which is currently telecasting Gurbani from the Sikh shrine, will expire on July 23.
He said the Akal Takht had asked the the SGPC to start its own YouTube channel, following which a sub-committee was formed. The committee, in its report, backed launching if YouTube channel. The EC members have unanimously accepted the suggestion, Dhami said.
“As these tasks are technical, a company will be hired for the time being to start the service,” said Dhami. He added that the services being taken by the company are related to required technology, equipment, and staff, while the broadcast rights will remain with the SGPC.
“The rights of Gurbani broadcast will be reserved with the SGPC only and no TV channel, YouTube channel, website, or social media platform will be able to broadcast it at their own will,” said Dhami.
The development comes amid a controversy around the telecast of Gurbani from the Darbar Sahib by the private channel. The Punjab Assembly, on June 20, had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed at ensuring free-to-air telecast of Gurbani. The move came after the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government approved an amendment to the British-era Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. However, the SGPC had vehemently opposed the amendment and accused the Punjab CM of interfering in its matters.
Meanwhile, the SGPC will work on a war footing to launch its own satellite channel, Dhami said, adding that they have also written to the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister in this regard. An SGPC delegation will soon meet the Union minister. “The SGPC will secure the license to operate the satellite channel. If necessary, a separate company will be set up for the purpose,” he added.