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Law is in
force, only SGPC can now print scriptures
WSN Network
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government has passed a piece of legislation
prohibiting printing, publication, storage, distribution and sale of
birs of Guru Granth Sahib by anyone other than the Shiromani
Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) or persons authorized by it.
The
“Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ordinance, 2007” would now go to
the Assembly to be converted into an Act. Punjab Government's top
law officer, Advocate General H S Mattewal, has said though the new
law will impact fundamental right enshrined in Article 19(1)(g) of
the Constitution, but the impact is duly offset by the power vested
with the state, under Article 19(6), to impose reasonable
restrictions in public interest.
Mattewal tendered this opinion to governor, Gen (retd) SF Rodrigues,
after he had sought clarity on the new law's conformity with
Constitutional parameters. The governor’s query was seen as
important as it came after an all-out statement war between the SGPC
and the DSGMC.
The
DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna has clearly stated, “We will not
follow the ordinance in any case.”
19
December, 2007
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