Delhi High Court Refuses To Restrain Private Channel From Telecasting Golden Temple Gurbani
The Delhi High Court today refused to restrain a private channel from broadcasting the recital of Gurbani at the Golden Temple in the Amritsar city.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed refused to pass an interim order on a suit filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages historical Sikh places of worship (gurdwaras).
It was contended by the SGPC that it has the copyright in the recital of Gurbani at the Golden Temple, which is being broadcasted live on its YouTube channel and another TV channel.
It was argued that the impugned Galactic Television was telecasting the recital in violation of the broadcasting rights held by SGPC, just with a delay of a few seconds.
During the hearing, the Court orally remarked that Gurbani is a literary-cum-musical work which the SPGC recites by way of a musical performance.
“There is a literary work called Guru Granth Sahib, which you sing by way of a musical work. Therefore, a literary and a musical work, which, if used for bona fide religious ceremony, is not an infringement,” the court said.
It added that the Court is not inclined to pass any ad interim order at this stage.
The senior counsel appearing for defendant Galactic Television submitted that it was not a case of violation of any intellectual property as there was no monetisation involved.
The court asked the TV channel to file its reply to SGPC's application for interim relief and also issued summons in the suit.
The matter is now listed on September 24.