Singer Bir Singh apologises for dance gig at Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom event

Singer and performer Bir Singh has issued an apology to the Akal Takht over the dance performance during the programme to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur held in Srinagar on Thursday.

The incident has drawn criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) after attendees were seen dancing to a Punjabi song.

The event was organised by the Punjab Government’s Language Department as part of a seminar dedicated to the life, legacy and supreme sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur.

Also read: Dance gig at guru's martyrdom event in Srinagar sparks outrage, SGPC demands apology from Punjab Government

While the director of the Language Department was not available for comments, he issued the copy of the invite shared with Punjabi sufi singer Bir Singh, in which it was mentioned that the singer was invited to recite the verse (Bani) of Guru Teg Bahadur and to perform sufi songs.  He also shared the copy of the apology letter issued by Bir Singh.

Singh sent a formal letter to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, expressing deep remorse for the incident. It stated, “This letter is to inform you about the mistake that occurred during the event in Srinagar.”

He also took to Instagram to issue a video apology.

“I arrived in Srinagar directly from Australia, and upon reaching here, our phone networks and other services stopped working. The biggest mistake was made by my management, who did not provide me with accurate information about the programme.”

“Before this, we had already done some commercial events with the Punjabi Sahit Academy, and we started this one on the same lines. 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 is my mistake. I should have taken all the details about the programme before performing — what it was about. When we realised that we were making a huge mistake — that this programme was dedicated to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib — we immediately accepted it, apologised to the sangat, arranged for shoes, and recited Salok Mahalla Nauvan,” he said.

“I admit my mistake and have dismissed that management; we will never work with them in the future. Secondly, we will always pay special attention to the decorum in any event dedicated to the gurus. This humble servant appeals to Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Sahib and the entire Sikh nation that I am ready to seek forgiveness for the mistake I made. I accept whatever service you deem appropriate. I am a Sikh child, Guru Sahib and the Sikh Sangat are forgiving. Such mistakes will not be repeated in the future,” he said in the video.

Reporting by Adil Akhzar in Srinagar, Mohit Khanna in Patiala and Neeraj Bagga in Amritsar