Latest news with #GuruTegBahadur
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Violation of maryada in Srinagar event: Bains performs ardas on completion of religious punishment
Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains on Wednesday performed ardas (Sikh prayer) for atonement at Akal Takht after completing his tankhah (religious punishment) awarded to him by the highest Sikh temporal seat for violation of Sikh maryada at an event organised by the Punjab government's language department to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in Srinagar. Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains He also announced that he will contribute ₹20 lakh from his discretionary funds as minister and one month's salary to improve the condition of the paths leading to historic places associated with the ninth Guru. Speaking to the media outside after submitting a letter at Akal Takht secretariat, the minister said, 'The service assigned to me by Akal Takht Sahib has now been completed. I have performed ardaas before Guru Sahib to seek forgiveness for my mistakes and have humbly requested that Guru Sahib bless me with the strength and wisdom to serve the Panth, the nation, Punjab, and humanity.' In a letter submitted to the Akal Takht jathedar, Bains said, 'As per the orders of the five Singh Sahibans, for the cleanliness and improvement of the paths leading to the birthplace of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji—Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Gurdwara Kotha Sahib Patshahi Nauvin Walla, and Gurdwara Baba Bakala Sahib—I pledge to contribute ₹20 lakh from my discretionary funds and, as a personal offering of devotion, one month's salary as a minister.' 'For the beautification works around the places associated with Guru Teg Bahadur, I will make every effort, both personally and through the government, to the best of my ability', the letter further added. A video of the event held on July 24, purportedly showing singer Bir Singh performing on stage and members of the audience dancing, sparked outrage. Bains was summoned by the Takht with clarification on August 6 and was awarded tankhah.
Hindustan Times
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AAP govt will transform roads leading to all religious sites: Harbhajan Singh ETO
Days after the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht directed the state government to address the condition of the roads leading to historic gurdwaras associated with Guru Teg Bahadur in view of his 350th martyrdom day, cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Saturday announced that roads leading to all religious sites will be transformed. Cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO (centre) with AAP leaders at the party's event in Baba Bakala, Amritsar. (HT) While addressing a political conference organised by the ruling AAP on the occasion of Rakhar Punya, a Sikh festival commemorating the discovery of Guru Teg Bahadur as the ninth Sikh Guru by Baba Makhan Shah Lubana, the minister said the AAP government had fulfilled almost all guarantees that were promised to the people before the elections. Except him, no big face of the ruling AAP turned up at the event, despite chief minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal being in Tarn Taran district. Referring to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, ETO invited the 'sangat' to participate in these programmes, and announced that before September 5, the memorial of Bhai Jaita at Anandpur Sahib, built at a cost of around ₹20 crore, will be inaugurated to formally commence these events. The minister declared that the infrastructure of villages and towns blessed by Guru Teg Bahadur's presence will be transformed. He added that in just three and a half years, the Bhagwant Mann government had accomplished as much work as previous governments could not in 75 years. He highlighted the provision of 600 units of free electricity to every household, major improvements in the power sector, uninterrupted eight-hour daytime electricity supply to farmers and the purchase of a thermal plant from the private sector by the Punjab government. Referring to the 'corrupt coal purchasing practices' of previous governments for their personal gain, he said, 'We have stopped that racket and begun using our own coal mines, which has brought significant economic benefits to the power department. Today, the power department is earning profits of over ₹2,500 crore.' He further announced that soon the chief minister will provide medical insurance worth ₹10 lakh to every household, which will permanently remove the burden of medicine expenses from common people's pockets. Speaking about the war against drugs, the minister said so far, ministers, MLAs, constituency in-charges and other party leaders had visited over 7,000 villages and towns to spread the message against drugs.
Hindustan Times
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: 9th Guru's martyrdom: DSGMC calls for joint commemoration with SGPC
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday called for a united effort with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka In a letter addressed to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka said the commemoration functions should be held jointly, reflecting the spirit of Panthic unity and honouring Guru Teg Bahadur's supreme sacrifice. 'Guru Teg Bahadur was martyred in Delhi for protection and religious freedom of Hindu religion. There are reports of separate events being planned by the DSGMC and the SGPC. Such a fragmented approach is not befitting the legacy of Guru Sahib,' Kalka stated in his letter. He reminded the SGPC of the past collective efforts that united the Sikh community — the 300th anniversary of Khalsa Foundation Day at Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) in 1999, the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev, the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 at Sultanpur Lodhi and the tercentenary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib at Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded, in 2008. Kalka also requested that the commemoration include remembrance of Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala Ji, who were martyred alongside Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Govt to conduct four yatras, other events to mark Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom day
Education minister Harjot Bains on Wednesday said the Punjab government has decided to organise four religious yatras and major events on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. Bains said that Akhand Path will be commenced on November 23 at Virasat-e-Khalsa (File) Accompanied by cabinet ministers, Harbhajan Singh ETO Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Bains attended the first meeting held at Virasat-e-Khalsa Anandpur Sahib and gave detailed information about the outline of the religious ceremonies to be held. Bains said that on November 19, a four-day religious pilgrimage will leave for Anandpur Sahib from Srinagar. He said similarly, yatras from Gurdaspur to Majha and Doaba Yatra, from Malwa, Bathinda and Faridkot will leave for Anandpur Sahib, covering almost all the districts and major cities of the state. These yatras will include Mashal-e-Shahadat, a library related to the biography, teachings and martyrdom of the ninth guru, gatka, panj nishanchi, panj pyaras, kirtani jatha, Kashmiri pandits and a large number of sangat, along with Kashmiri delegates, will also participate in the religious yatra. Bains said that Akhand Path will be commenced on November 23 at Virasat-e-Khalsa, in which prominent personalities and religious figures from the country and abroad, including chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will be present. On the same day, a digital exhibition depicting the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur will be inaugurated by the CM at Virasat-e-Khalsa.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC urges Centre to release Sikh prisoners on Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom day anniv
The executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday passed a resolution urging the Centre to release Sikh prisoners on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami with executive members addressing a press conference on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal /HT) The committee also approved the establishment of a 'Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Chair' at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib. Speaking to the press after the meeting, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that during the 550th Prakash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019, the Union government had issued a notification regarding the release of some Sikh prisoners and commutation of Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence. 'However, that notification has not yet been implemented fully. He emphasised that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a historic opportunity for the Centre to implement that decision fully,' Dhami said. He further said that the SGPC has given in-principle approval for establishing a dedicated Chair in the name of Guru Teg Bahadur at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University. 'The Chair will focus on original and research-based work on the life, travels, and martyrdom of the ninth Guru, along with philosophical studies on his divine gurbani (verses),' he said. In another decision, Dhami said the SGPC will support preparations for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam through its directorate of education. 'Selected students will be provided free graduation education and a monthly stipend, as part of its Nishchai Administrative Services Preparatory Academy and Nishchai Judicial Academy programmes', the SGPC chief said. He also demanded the immediate reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor and said the holy site holds deep emotional and spiritual significance for Sikhs. Dhami ducks question on rebel group's poll schedule Dhami didn't comment on the Akal Takht-appointed panel's announcement of holding elections to pick the party president and office-bearers at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall, the gurdwara body's headquarters, on August 11. On Sunday, Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD camp made it clear that it will not participate in the upcoming election of office-bearers scheduled for August 11. Senior SAD leader Cheema dismissed the rebel faction's efforts, calling the membership drive a 'farce. He questioned the legitimacy of the five-member committee, which claimed to have inducted 26 lakh new members, given the resignation of two key figures.
