Rename ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to ‘Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas’: Akal Takht writes to Centre
PTC Web Desk: Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar has strongly objected to the Central Government’s use of the term ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ and has demanded that the day be officially renamed ‘Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas’ (Sahibzade Martyrdom Day). Acting on the directions of the Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Akal Takht Secretariat has issued a formal letter to all Sikh Members of Parliament across India.
According to the letter, the Sikh community has been consistently expressing its disagreement with the name ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ ever since the Centre introduced it in 2022. The Akal Takht Secretariat noted that it has received a large number of letters from Sikh devotees, urging that the name be changed to reflect Sikh sentiments and properly honour the martyrdom of the Sahibzade.
Letter sent to 14 Sikh MPs
The communication has been addressed to 14 Sikh MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This includes Dr Amar Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib), Gurjeet Singh Aujla (Amritsar), Harsimrat Kaur Badal (Bathinda), Malvinder Singh Kang (Anandpur Sahib), Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (Gurdaspur), Vikramjit Singh (Rajya Sabha), Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh among others.
Appeal to raise the issue in Parliament
In the letter, acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has urged all Sikh parliamentarians to take up this matter with strong resolve in both Houses of Parliament. He stressed that the Centre must be persuaded to officially declare the day as Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas. He emphasised that the demand is not merely about changing a name, but about honouring Sikh history and the deeply held emotions associated with the martyrdom of the Sahibzade.
The Akal Takht Secretariat confirmed that the letter has been formally sent to all MPs at their official government email addresses.
- PTC NEWS
