Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 7. To prevent eruption of controversies over books and films based on the Sikh religion, gurbani, history and culture, the five Sikh high priests have directed the SGPC to constitute a “censor board” comprising Sikh scholars to examine and clear books and films before their formal release.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/31776-high-priests-direct-sgpc-form-censor.html
The SGPC has been asked to constitute a censor board. Any book, published material and films related to the Sikhism, history and culture will have to be subjected to examination by the board before their release. This is being to done to avoid any controversies in the future,” said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
The five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, have also asked the SGPC to divide Punjab into three regions-Majha, Malwa and Doaba-to spread message of Sikh Gurus and that of “Gurbani” in a better way.
The Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC will distribute published material like books on the Sikh religion among Sikhs through Akhand Kirtani Jatha head Baldev Singh and other Sikh religious preachers.
The three regions, according to Giani Gurbachan Singh, will also have SGPC-operated missions on lines of the similar institutions operating in Jammu.
“The Sikh high priests will also visit these regions from time to time,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.
The idea to set-up an SGPC-operated “censor board” came up for discussion among the Sikh high priests after a recent controversy of the publication of two books “Gian Sarovar”- an encyclopedia for primary classes in Punjab-and “Balu De Wal”.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31776
SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Maan had raised objections over the books following which Director-General (School Education) Krishan Kumar had tendered an apology.
The Akal Takht Jathedar had accepted the apology and had asked the Sikh sangat to consider the issue “as closed”.