Violation of 'Maryada' at govt event to commemorate Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom anniversary: SGPC

SGPC on Friday took strong objection to "entertainment performances" at an event organised in Srinagar to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, calling it a direct affront to Sikh religious values.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the alleged entertainment performances involving singing and dancing organised during an event held by the Punjab Government's Language Department in Srinagar on Thursday night, commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Meanwhile on Friday evening, Punjabi singer Bir Singh, who performed at the event in Srinagar, met Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and offered an apology at Akal Takht.

Jathedar Gargaj said that it is good that Bir Singh, even without being summoned, acknowledged his mistake, expressed sincere remorse and dedication to the Guru.

He said the apology would be considered and discussed appropriately.

In a statement to the media, Jathedar Gargaj stated that the Punjab government and its Language Department must understand their roles "intervening in Sikh religious matters or organising Gurmat-based programmes is not their domain, as the Sikh institutions and the Khalsa Panth are capable of conducting such events".

If the government is truly concerned about the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, it should support necessary development works instead, he said.

The Jathedar advised the Punjab government to take lessons from Bihar government, which celebrated the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh with the support of the 'Khalsa Panth'.

Earlier, in another statement issued here Friday, SGPC chief Dhami said that the manner in which the event was conducted in Srinagar went against the sanctity of Guru's supreme sacrifice and was a direct affront to Sikh religious values and the core philosophy of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Dhami called on the Punjab Government to issue a public apology "for this serious misstep and to issue clear and strict guidelines to prevent such occurrences in the future".

Dhami stated that the presentation at the government's event struck a blow to both the concept of martyrdom and the revered Sikh code of conduct (Gurmat Maryada).

He emphasised that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur holds a unique and unparalleled place in the religious history of the world.

"Therefore, any event organised to mark this centenary must align strictly with Sikh traditions, reverence, restraint, and the spirit of Gurbani.

However, by turning this solemn occasion into an entertainment affair, the Language Department of Punjab has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community," Dhami said.

He reiterated that this is precisely why the SGPC has always maintained that Sikh centenary events and festivals should be organized by Sikh institutions, not governments, as official departments lack the sensitivity and understanding to follow the Sikh code of conduct appropriately.

The recent act by the Punjab Language Department has validated SGPC's concerns and demands immediate attention from Punjab Chief Minister, urging the government to restrict itself to developmental and supportive responsibilities.

He further said that Sikh 'Gurpurbs' and commemorative events are not casual celebrations or entertainment festivals but spiritual occasions dedicated to the teachings of Sikh faith.

"They include holy activities such as Shabad Kirtan, Gurmat Vichar, Gurbani recitation, community service and sewa. Activities such as dancing and singing performances are not only violations of Sikh principles but also disrespectful to the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur," he said.

He stressed that any form of disrespect towards Sikh traditions and the sanctity of the Gurus will never be tolerated by the Sikh community.

Meanwhile, Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj said the concerns raised earlier by Sikh institutions have been validated, as the Srinagar event, which featured dance, music, and entertainment, deeply hurt the Sikh sentiments.

The Jathedar emphasized that, according to Sikh principles, martyrdom has deeply sacred place, and the Punjab Government's conduct during this programme "violated Gurmat discipline and contradicted the Guru's ideology and philosophy".

Recently, another row had erupted over the matter of organising events to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in November after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee raised an objection to hold separate official events by the state government, asking it not to "interfere" in religious matters.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had on Tuesday questioned the objection raised by the SGPC over organizing a series of events by his government to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and asked whether the apex gurdwara body has a "copyright" over holding such events.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)