'Akal Takht' Asks India to Rename 'Veer Bal Diwas' to 'Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas'

Days after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee objected to the Panjab government’s proposed program to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas (Brave Children’s Day) in Ludhiana on 12 Dec, acting Jathedar (leader) Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) Kuldeep Singh Gargajj has written to Sikh Members of Parliament to impress upon the Indian union government to rename Veer Bal Diwas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas (Sovereign’s Sons Martyrdom Day). He said, ‘The Indian union government has been observing the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom day as Veer Bal Diwas since 2022 which misrepresents Sikh ethos and tenets.’ MPs Vikramjit Singh Sawhney, Malvinder Singh Kang, and Balbir Singh Seechewal from Aam Aadmi Party, and Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Indian National Congress have also written to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the traditional term to be restored. Meanwhile, addressing a congregation in Fatehgarh Sahib on 2 Dec, Jathedar Gargajj said, 'The population of all the communities has swelled, but we (Sikhs) have not been able to match the growth.' He went on to add that producing only one child is not a wise policy. 'We should have at least 3 or 4 children in a family, only then we have relations such as Massi, Bhua, Phufad, Tayi (aunts and uncles). We should think in this direction.' While the Jathedar's concern about demographic decline among Sikhs is valid, the statement raises questions. First, the decline is not only among Sikhs but also Panjabis and other communities. India's population growth rate is projected around 0.89% for 2024–25, a significant low from the 1960s when it was over 2%. Second, in Panjab, the issue is related to low sperm count, poor ovarian reserve, and hormonal balances. Third, the health issues are related to high exposure of pesticides in agriculture as well as water and air pollution. Fourth, poor fertility health is also due to loneliness, sedentary lifestyles, drug use, stress levels, obesity, diabetes, and thyroid issues. Fifth, many couples marry late, expenses around bringing up children are high so they prefer less children. The focus should be on fixing these issues and understanding why couples are shying away from having more children (earlier coverage).