AMRITSAR, Aug. 12 -- Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Tuesday backed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's stand against unauthorised broadcast of Gurbani kirtan from the Golden Temple by a private channel, GTC.

"It is mandatory for anyone to secure permission from the gurdwara body for the telecast. Telecasting Gurbani without the SGPC's permission, when it is responsible for ensuring maryada, is not fair. Anyone doing so should refrain from such acts," Giani Gargaj said.

Despite a legal notice and objections from the SGPC, GTC Channel has continued to air live telecasts of kirtan using the official YouTube feed without authorisation.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had asserted that "all rights pertai...