Sahibzade martyrdom: SGPC says Veer Bal Diwas ‘plot to distort Sikh history’

Renaming of martyrdom day of Guru Gobind Singh's sons seen by SGPC as another bid by govt to wrest control of Sikh bodies, running of Sikh affairs from it

5 min readAmritsarUpdated: Dec 27, 2022 07:08 AM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a programme commemorating the 'Veer Bal Diwas', at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (PTI)

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Sahibzade martyrdom: SGPC says Veer Bal Diwas ‘plot to distort Sikh history’

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Speaking at the first ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ event Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh as a fight of “liberalism” vs “communal violence”, “spiritualism” vs “terrorism”. He earlier linked the new name to his government’s efforts to break India free of the “inferiority complex” it suffered from.

Modi’s statement came a day after the SGPC issued a statement opposing the government’s move and appealing to the Sikhs to be aware of “the conspiracy to undermine Sikh history”.

Must Read | Veer Bal Diwas: A look at the bravery and sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, aged 7 and 9

“The Government of India is on the path of concocting Sikh history and it is unfortunate that the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is supporting this. Going against the traditions of the Sikh community, observing the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Diwas by the Government of India is a mischievous conspiracy to undermine the greatest martyrdom and valuable heritage in the world’s religious history,” Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee), said.

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, is also opposed to the government’s initiative and passed a resolution earlier this year seeking that the day be celebrated as the Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas.

Read | Five reasons why Akal Takht Sahib and SGPC are not happy with Centre’s ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ nomenclature

December 26 marks the killing of four “Sahibzadas” of the Tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. Both the Akal Takht and SGPC argue that “limiting” the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas to ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ is not befitting of the Sikh sentiments attached to their killing, and that their incomparable sacrifice put them in the same league as great warriors.

In Sikh history, the Sahibzadas are given the title of ‘Baba’, and the SGPC has said that any nomenclature of the day must be in keeping with Sikh history, Gurbani, Sikh doctrine, and beliefs.

Explained

Growing apprehension

Ever since the parting of the BJP with the Akali Dal, which controls the SGPC, the Sikh body has been apprehensive of the central government’s intentions regarding running of religious affairs of the community.

Ever since the parting of the BJP with the Akali Dal, which controls the SGPC, the Sikh body has been apprehensive of the government’s intentions regarding running of religious affairs of the community. PM Modi has been meeting Sikh leaders, there is a Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee now, whittling the powers of the Punjab-based body, while the DSGMC is under the BJP’s influence.

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Responding to claims of the SGPC, BJP leader and former DSGMC president Manjit Singh Sirsa tweeted, “It is a widely accepted & admitted fact that no government has done as much as the @NarendraModi Government to preserve, protect & propagate the rich culture & heritage of Sikhism. From the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor to bringing back the Guru Granth Sahib, we’ll let facts speak!”

It was at a conclave organised by the DSGMC on January 16, 2018, that a recommendation was made to the Union government that the martyrdom day of the Sahibzade be observed as Bal Diwas. Sirsa, then DSGMC general secretary, and Manjit Singh G K, then president, who were at the time in the Akali Dal, were at the conclave along with Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

While Badal is now a BJP rival, Sirsa is in the BJP and G K is no longer with the Akali Dal.

In January this year, on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, Modi announced that December 26 would henceforth be celebrated as Veer Bal Diwas. Soon after, the Akal Takht formed a committee of scholars to discuss the “objectionable nomenclature”, and soon after it submitted its recommendations, asked for the day to be known as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’. This was later backed by the SGPC through a resolution in October.

Both the developments were ignored by the government.

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Sirsa said that while Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal too had earlier cleared the new name for the day, the change of heart was on account of their altered equations with the BJP. “Have you ever seen this chapter of Sikh history getting such a recognition at the national level?” Sirsa said. “What is the point in opposing the nomenclature except politics?”

Akali Dal spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said it was not about one party or the other. “Our party made efforts to get the history of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh recognised at the national level. But that doesn’t mean that SAD or any party has the right to decide the nomenclature. Only the Akal Takht can take a call on such issues… The Union government should have listened to what the Akal Takht suggested.”

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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