Amritsar-The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to suspend the service of providing Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the Sangat and Gurdwara Sahibs until May 20. The decision has been taken in view of amendments being made to the rules governing the publication and supplying of Saroops (scriptures) as per demand of the Sangat, following the passage of the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 by the Punjab Government.
SGPC Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan stated that the SGPC, through its publication department at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib, undertakes the printing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with full maryada (religious protocol) and respect, and provides them to Gurdwaras worldwide based on demand from the Sangat. He added that the process involves verification by preachers of the Dharam Prachar Committee, followed by recommendations from an SGPC member.
He further said that although a complete record of Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been maintained earlier, the process will now be carried out under new priorities and guidelines. A new policy is being implemented under the directions of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. Until this policy comes into effect, the sacred saroops will not be provided, and Sangat would be able to receive it only after May 20.
Under the new plan, technical and administrative changes are underway to develop a digital record system for Sri Guru Granth Sahib provided as per demand of the Sangat, which will also be published on the website. These changes are expected to be implemented in the coming days.
Secretary Kahlwan also informed that henceforth, the printing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib will be done only upon receiving a request from the Sangat, and the entire process may involve some waiting time.
Additionally, the identity of Gurdwara committees and Sangat receiving the saroop will be digitally recorded along with photographs. A certificate will be issued at the time of delivery, with one copy given to the Sangat and another retained by the publication department. A digital version of the record will be permanently stored on SGPC servers, linked with a unique identification number accessible at both the publication department and SGPC headquarters.
The certificate will also include guidelines and motivational information regarding the proper care and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The recipients will be required to pledge responsibility for its upkeep, and necessary religious protocols and precautions will be clearly outlined.
In line with the 2013 directive of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which prohibits the conduct of Sri Akhand Path Sahib at places such as graves, memorials, and shrines of ancestors, Gurdwara committees will be responsible for ensuring compliance and not providing Sri Guru Granth Sahib for such locations.
The SGPC Secretary added that with the centralization of this entire process, Sri Guru Granth Sahib will, in future, be provided only from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib in Amritsar. It will no longer be available from Takht Sahibs or other historic Gurdwaras.