DSGMC announces parallel events for 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Thursday announced parallel events to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur in November, even as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is yet to respond to its appeal for joint programmes in Delhi.

DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Khalsa held a meeting with various Panthic and Nihang organisations at Akali Phula Singh Burj, seeking their cooperation, while pointing out that the centenary events should be held in Delhi where Guru Teg Bahadur was martyred.

He said the DSGMC would organise various religious programmes to mark the occasion from November 23 to 25 at the Red Fort.

Nevertheless, it appears to be a case of political one-upmanship than religiosity as the Punjab Government, SGPC and now the DSGMC have announced parallel programmes to mark the martyrdom of the Sikh Guru.

All three entities are governed by three political groups who are at odds with each other, vying to establish themselves as the “better” representative of the Sikh Panth.

On August 1, the DSGMC had written to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, urging him to organise the main programme in Delhi and lead them in the functions.

The SGPC has already scheduled various religious programmes in Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25 to mark the occasion.

The Punjab Government has also announced to hold parallel programmes on same dates. Meanwhile, the DSGMC president, along with office-bearers, today formally extended invitation to the SGPC, different Nihang organisations and other religious organisations for a joint commemoration of the 350th martyrdom day.