Gurbani broadcast is a matter of faith, not commerce: MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 5, 2026: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Wednesday criticised the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Shiromani Akali Dal and PTC over issues related to the live broadcast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib, alleged financial losses and the delay in SGPC elections.
Speaking to reporters at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Dr. Nijjar said the live telecast of Gurbani is closely linked to the faith and spiritual sentiments of millions of devotees across the world and should not be treated as a commercial venture.
He alleged that the broadcast rights were initially granted to PTC for telecast within India. However, he claimed that the channel later used subsidiary entities to stream Gurbani internationally for commercial purposes.
Dr. Nijjar further alleged that despite the expiry of the broadcasting agreement in 2023, the channel continues to telecast Gurbani without paying the stipulated annual fee of ₹2 crore, resulting in recurring financial losses to the SGPC. He demanded that any unauthorised broadcast be stopped and all pending dues recovered from the company.
Calling for reforms in the broadcasting system, the AAP MLA said the SGPC spends around ₹36 lakh annually on third-party management of transmission facilities, taking the overall broadcasting-related expenditure to nearly ₹1.75 crore. He suggested that the SGPC should purchase and operate its own equipment to reduce recurring expenses.
Dr. Nijjar also raised concerns over the alleged non-recovery of ₹6.5 crore linked to SGPC Chartered Accountant Surinder Singh, a matter currently under examination by a Judicial Commission.
Questioning the functioning of the commission, he said its chairman, who was appointed in 2016 for a five-year term, continues to hold the position despite the completion of the original tenure. He also referred to the chairman’s alleged family links with the Akali Dal core committee and called for a fresh appointment and the speedy recovery of the outstanding amount.
The AAP MLA further questioned the continuation of the present SGPC committee without fresh elections for more than 15 years and urged that elections be held at the earliest.
Emphasising the emotional and spiritual connection of devotees with the daily Gurbani telecast, Dr. Nijjar said religious broadcasting should remain transparent, impartial and free from commercial interests.
He said the Punjab Government was taking the matter seriously and was consulting legal experts and the Advocate General’s office to explore a lasting and legally sustainable solution.