Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first-ever ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ event in New Delhi Monday to observe the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas — sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last guru of the Sikhs. Held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, the event was attended by hundreds of invitees.
But on the eve of the solemn occasion, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — regulatory body of historical Sikh institutions — asked Sikhs not to observe the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, but instead as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’.
The SGPC’s opposition stems from the view that remembering the sacrifice of the four sahibzadas by observing a day to hail the bravery of children in general undermined the historical significance of their martyrdom.
Modi had announced in January that 26 December will be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ every year in a move he termed as a “fitting tribute to the courage of the Sahibzades and their quest for justice”.
Almost immediately after the announcement, the SGPC — while appreciating the Prime Minister’s sentiments — objected to the move on the grounds that observing the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom as a day to celebrate the bravery of children (bal) would not be in line with Sikh tradition.
“In view of Sikh history, doctrines, and traditions, the incomparable sacrifices of the Sahibzadas of the Dasven Patshah (10th guru) are like those of great warriors,” SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had said.
Dhami explained further that in Sikh history, the Sahibzadas are honoured and referred to as ‘Baba’ (holy men).
Many scholars of Sikh history and Sikh historians had at the time agreed with the SGPC’s view, and deemed its objection valid.
The martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas — who were killed in a conflict between the Guru Gobind Singh-led Khalsa and a Mughal coalition in 1704-05 — is seen as one of the most significant events in the history of Sikhs.
The Guru’s two eldest sons, Baba Ajit Singh (17) and Baba Jujhar Singh (14), were martyred during the Second Battle of Chamkaur, while his younger sons, Baba Zorawar Singh (9) and Baba Fateh Singh (6), were bricked alive in a wall at the instructions of the Mughal governor of Sirhind.
Since these events took place in the final weeks of December, Sikhs mark the martyrdom around this time every year with solemn prayers and a Shaheedi Jor Mela — a three-day annual congregation at Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind). The Sahibzadas’ sacrifice is also part of the daily ardaas (prayer) of the Sikhs.
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‘Concocting Sikh history’
In a letter to PM Modi dated 7 December, SGPC chief Dhami said the demand to observe the martyrdom as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’ was backed by a resolution to that effect passed by the SGPC executive in October.
The central government, despite repeated requests, is yet to accede to the demand of the SGPC which now sees a conspiracy behind the move.
On Sunday, while appealing to the sangat (Sikh community) to “be aware of the government’s conspiracy of undermining Sikh history”, Dhami alleged that the government was “concocting Sikh history”. He added that it was “unfortunate” that the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) was supporting the government’s move.
Dhami accused DSGMC chief Harmeet Singh Kalka of acting as the “government’s mouthpiece” for supporting the move despite the Sikh community largely rejecting the idea of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’. He also asked Kalka to explain why the latter’s actions should not be seen as a refusal to obey the decree of the Akal Takht.
The SGPC chief also trained his guns at Iqbal Singh Lalpura, chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, for “failing to fulfil his responsibility” vis-a-vis such a serious issue.
Dismissing the claim Lalpura made on social media that no educational institution had been opened in India in the last 318 years in memory of the Sahibzadas, Dhami said a person occupying a constitutional post and representing minorities should not make statements without backing them with facts.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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