‘Direct affront to Sikhi,’ says Dhami on Guru Teghbahadar’s Anniversary Event

On 24 Jul, the Panjab government marked the 350^th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teghbahadar, the ninth Sikh sovereign, in Srinagar. At the event, instead of solemnity and remembrance of the Guru's sacrifice and martyrdom, the audience was dancing to the tunes of singer Bir Singh. The program was hosted by the Panjab govt’s Language Department in association with Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The issue has come up amid ongoing tensions between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Panjab govt regarding the events related to the martyrdom centenary. On 25 Jul, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the nature of the program. 'The event held by the Panjab 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 Teghbahadar.' On 26 Jul, Bir Singh offered an apology at Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT). In his Instagram post he mentioned, 'I went directly to the stage, and since all my attention was on the audience, I didn't see the banner behind the stage. This was my mistake.' Though he admits his mistake, he seems to be making an excuse about not seeing the banner. The banner is the same as the invitation card which says the event is to recite verses of Guru Teghbahadar and sing Sufi songs. AT officiating Jathedar (leader) Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj has summoned Panjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Director of the State Language Dept Jaswant Singh on 1 Aug. After the summons were received, Bains issued a public apology saying, 'I’m a humble Sikh, will obey every command.' However, Jaswant Singh has not spoken. The irony is not one person in the management or the audience objected to the song and dance when the program was on.