The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has suspended the distribution of 'saroops' (scriptures) of the Guru Granth Sahib to the community and gurdwaras until May 20, following changes in rules governing their publication and distribution. This decision comes after the Punjab government passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
New Digital Tracking System
SGPC secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan announced that the committee is developing a digital tracking system for all saroops. Under the new system, details of every issued saroop, including recipient identity, photographs, and location, will be recorded and uploaded online. Printing will be strictly demand-based, and applicants may face waiting periods. Each recipient will receive a certificate, with a duplicate retained by SGPC, and a permanent digital record stored on its servers with a unique ID.
Centralized Distribution
The process will now be centralized, with all saroops supplied only from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib, Amritsar. Distribution from Takht Sahibs and other historic gurdwaras will cease. The certificate will also outline guidelines on proper care and 'satkar' (respect) of the Guru Granth Sahib. Recipients will be required to formally pledge responsibility.
Compliance with Akal Takht Directive
Reiterating a 2013 directive of the Akal Takht, Kahlwan said saroops will not be provided for akhand path at graves, memorials, or ancestral shrines. Gurdwara committees will be held accountable for ensuring compliance. Until the new policy is implemented, no saroops will be issued; distribution will resume after May 20.
The SGPC prints the Guru Granth Sahib through its publication department at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib and supplies it globally based on demand. The process involves verification by preachers of SGPC's dharam prachar committee and recommendations from an SGPC member. While records of all saroops were maintained earlier, a revised system with new guidelines is being introduced.
