March to Delhi Stopped; Guru Teghbahadar’s Martyrdom Narrative

On 15 Nov, as part of the 350^th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Sovereign, Guru Teghbahadar, the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (Community Justice Front, QIM) started a march to Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi to demand the release of Bandi Singh (Sikh prisoners). As earlier during Farmers Protest 2.0 (2023–24), the Haryana police blocked the march by closing the Shambhu interstate border between Panjab and Haryana. Social organizations of different hues—Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Dal Khalsa, CPI (Marxist) Liberation, Kirti Kisan Union, and Punjab Human Rights Organisation—joined the QIM-led march. Hundreds of activists from these organizations and the Hindu community spoke in solidarity with the QIM demand. After hours of tension, Joint Secretary Home Department Prashant Lokhande arrived to hold discussions with QIM leaders. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the government. Late evening, the Shambhu border was opened to commuters. Meanwhile, at Amritsar, the Panjab government marked the anniversary with a light and sound show titled Hind di Chadar (Protector of India or Hindus) highlighting the life and sacrifice of the Guru. The domain of Srisht ki Chadar (Protector of Humanity). He sacrificed his life to defend the rights of entire humanity and not how governments now emphasize the sacrifice was for a specific community or a nation. Meanwhile, the Panjab government will hold a Legislative Assembly special session on 24 Nov at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stopped an animation film titled Hind di Chadar. SGPC has also refused to allow the state government use of Sri Kesgarh Sahib premises and infrastructure for the official functions. The standoff between the Sikh governing body SGPC and the state government is similar to the 1999 Khalsa tri-centenary events. Concurrently, the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar Vice Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh announced the university will dedicate its 56^th Foundation Day to the 350^th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teghbahadar. GNDU will also create a digital archive of the literature related to the Guru (earlier coverage).