5 days ago
‘Direct affront to Sikhism': Punjab Govt's musical event on Guru Teg Bahadar's martyrdom anniversary in Srinagar sparks row
An event organised by the Punjab Government to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadar, the ninth Sikh guru, in Srinagar on Thursday evening has sparked controversy as Sikh bodies said the musical programme went against Sikh religious values.
A section of social media users also raised strong objections to the entertainment programme hosted by the government's Language Department (Bhasha Vibhag) that saw the audience grooving to the tunes of singer Bir Singh.
They questioned the decision to organise entertainment performances in the name of Guru Teg Bahadar, and asked why government funds were used for cultural events rather than solemn remembrance.
The issue comes amid ongoing tensions between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Punjab Government regarding the organisation of events related to the martyrdom centenary.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Friday strongly condemned the nature of the programme. 'The event held by the Punjab Government's Language Department goes against the sanctity of the Guru's supreme sacrifice. It is a direct affront to Sikh religious values and the philosophy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar,' he said in a statement.
Dhami stated that the event misrepresented the solemnity of the occasion and that Sikh traditions must be followed when marking such historical events.
He added that Sikh Gurpurbs and martyrdom anniversaries are spiritual occasions that involve Gurbani recitation, Kirtan, and community service. 'Singing and dancing violate Sikh principles,' he pointed out.
Dhami also urged the Punjab Government to apologise publicly and issue clear guidelines to prevent recurrence. He reiterated SGPC's stand that only Sikh institutions are supposed to organise the anniversary events of Sikh gurus.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) on Friday stated that cultural performances, including singing and dancing at the event, amount to sacrilege and demanded a public apology from Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who is in charge of the Language Department, for the act, which amounted to making a mockery of the Guru's supreme sacrifice.
'How is it appropriate to organise such dance and music in memory of the Guru? If this is not sacrilege, then what is it? The Aam Aadmi Party government must explain what connection these performances have with the life, martyrdom, and sacred Gurbani of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Ji,' the party said in its statement.
Former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also slammed the event, stating, 'Bir Singh is a good singer, but songs and dancing during a martyrdom centenary go against Sikh principles. We appeal to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to take action according to Sikh religious conduct.'
However, Harpreet Kaur, Joint Director of the Bhasha Vibhag, said that she had no information about who planned the format of this event. 'I am not aware of the event. The event was planned when I was on leave,' she said.
