After over twenty years, in 2024 Bandi Chhor Diwas (Free Prisoners Day) or Diwali (Festival of Lights) fell on 1 Nov. The date was within the 1984 Sikh genocide remembrance period 31 Oct-2 Nov. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) appealed to the community not to light lamps on Bandi Chhor Divas because the celebrations coincide with the anniversary of 1984 Sikh genocide’s 40th anniversary. Ironically, on 30 Oct, the Indian Ministry of Culture posted on X about Bandi Chhor Diwas. The post included a 43-second pictorial video with the caption, ‘Do you know? Sikhs around the globe celebrate #BandiChhorDiwas as a powerful symbol of oneness & compassion (sic). This tradition is celebrated alongside #Diwali. Watch the video to learn the story behind this inspiring celebration.’ The post sparked controversy as right-wing trolls criticized it for allegedly renaming Diwali as Bandi Chhor Diwas to dissociate it from the Hindu festival, claiming it lacked historical basis. In response to the backlash, within a few hours, the ministry removed the post from X. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the tweet deletion and urged Sikhs to only light lamps on the occasion. In other news, the SGPC has announced the formation of an 11-member advisory board for Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT) to streamline processes amid ongoing issues concerning SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s misconduct. AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh has called a meeting of about 18 Sikh scholars, intellectuals, and veteran journalists on 6 Nov to discuss the matter of Badal’s punishment upon earlier being pronounced tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct).
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