Devotees can click photos for ‘memory sake’, can’t record videos in Golden Temple complex: SGPC

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 8

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has installed new boards around the “parikarma”, which strictly prohibit recording of videos in the Golden Temple premises. However, clicking photos on cellphones just as a “token of remembrance” is acceptable.

The Sikh body has justified the move saying that the decision has been taken to maintain the serenity and spiritual ambiance of the shrine.

Around one lakh devotees, including celebrities, visit the Golden Temple daily.

SGPC secretary Partap Singh said additional staff had been deployed at “parikarma” to keep tabs on the violators, besides high-definition CCTV cameras would keep a hawk eye on the movement of devotees. “Any kind of photography and videography was barred in the Golden Temple’s premises by Akal Takht. It was acceptable if the devotees clicked a few pictures with their family members for the sake of a memory without creating chaos,” he said.

Similarly, photojournalists who cover the visits of dignitaries and other events inside the premises would be restricted at designated spots.

Partap cited several incidents wherein the devotees recoded videos and uploaded them on their social media handles with objectionable music tracks in the background. “Recently, an influencer performed yoga and uploaded her pictures,” he said.

In June, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had ordered to prohibit any kind of promotional video or photographs.

Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, general manager, Golden Temple, said, “A total of 60 flex and steel boards have been set up. Some staffers also move around the parikarma to educate the devotees about the restrictions. They have been directed to be polite if someone violates the norm.”