Patiala, 7 August (Manmohan Singh)
As the Sikh community gears up to mark the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji in November 2025, a profound sense of reverence and reflection unites the Panth. This milestone is not merely a ceremonial event but an opportunity to honor the Ninth Guru’s legacy of sacrifice, religious freedom, and universal humanity, earning him the title Hind di Chadar.
Preparations are in full swing, with Sikh Gurdwara Committees and grassroots organizations mobilizing across India and the diaspora. However, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, has announced plans to commemorate the anniversary independently, diverging from a consensus reached in April 2025 at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi. That meeting, attended by representatives from SGPC, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Haryana Gurdwara Committee, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, and other Sikh bodies, agreed that the central event would be held at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi—the site of the Guru’s martyrdom—led by DSGMC with support from all Sikh institutions.
SGPC’s decision to hold a separate event breaks with the tradition of unified commemorations led by the gurdwara committee tied to the historical site. Past examples include the 300th Khalsa Panth anniversary led by SGPC at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib (1999), the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji at Sri Khadur Sahib, the 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Sultanpur Lodhi, and the 350th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Patna Sahib. In each case, the Sikh leadership transcended internal differences to project unity.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, where Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was martyred, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where his cremation took place, are both under DSGMC’s management, making it the natural coordinator for this commemoration. As Sikh scholar and former Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh has noted, historical precedent supports the region tied to the event leading the efforts, with others joining in solidarity.
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, alongside Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dyal Ji, was a selfless act to protect religious freedom for all, not just Sikhs, making it a moment of national and universal significance. In an era of growing religious and social divides, his legacy calls for unity over identity politics.
watch…….Bhai Gurmeet Singh ‘Shant’ Honored with “Shiromani Raagi Award” by DSGMC
The divergence between SGPC and DSGMC risks portraying a fragmented Sikh community, undermining the collective strength that defines the Panth. DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka has extended a respectful invitation to SGPC, offering to honor its seniority and leadership in a joint commemoration, reflecting the Sikh ethos of humility where the “younger brother” supports the “elder brother” in shared devotion.
In today’s interconnected world, a unified commemoration will amplify Guru Sahib’s message of sacrifice, justice, and religious freedom to Sikhs and non-Sikhs worldwide. Disunity, however, could diminish the event’s spiritual sanctity and the community’s image of solidarity and service.
As the oldest and most prominent Sikh body, SGPC has a responsibility to uphold Panthic traditions and foster unity. The 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji should be a testament to humility, unity, and panthic seva, honoring the Guru’s sacrifice through collective action. History will remember this moment not for the scale of ceremonies, but for the Sikh community’s ability to embody the Guru’s timeless values.
