SGPC flays Punjab govts entertainment event on Guru Tegh Bahadur Jis martyrdom anniversary, demands public apology

PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly condemned the Punjab Government's Language Department for organising an event in Srinagar to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, where entertainment performances, including dancing and singing, were conducted.

The SGPC president called this act deeply disrespectful, as it went against the solemnity and reverence associated with Guru Sahib's martyrdom.

Advocate Harjinder Singh  Dhami, expressing his disappointment, said such performances not only disrespected the sacred memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom but also undermined the sanctity of Sikhism, Guru Nanak’s teachings, and the spirit of Sikh traditions. He said religious events should strictly adhere to Sikh values, including devotion, respect, and reverence for Guru Bani.

He further stated that the Punjab Government’s Language Department, by turning the martyrdom anniversary into an entertainment spectacle, caused significant harm to the spiritual sentiments of the Sikh community. The SGPC has earlier stressed that such anniversaries and religious observances should be exclusively organised by Sikh institutions to ensure proper adherence to Sikh traditions and respect for Guru Sahib’s teachings.

“Government organisations and institutions, like the Punjab Language Department, are not equipped to handle such significant religious events without compromising Sikh etiquette and values,” Advocate Dhami stated. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to immediately intervene and ensure that such incidents do not recur, while reminding the government to focus its responsibilities on development-related work rather than religious matters.

He further said Gurpurbs were not merely celebrations or entertainment events but were dedicated to spiritual awakening and the contemplation of Gurmat principles. "Activities like singing and dancing, or other forms of entertainment, are not just violations of Sikh principles but also disrespect the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji," said Advocate Dhami.

Advocate Dhami called on the Punjab Government to issue a public apology for this serious lapse in understanding and urged that strict guidelines be set to prevent such incidents in the future. He made it clear that the Sikh community would never tolerate disrespect towards their sacred traditions and Guru Sahib’s memory.