Gatka bodies to spread safety awareness on Sikh martial arts

Mahesh Sharma

Malerkotla, February 25

Taking cognisance of videos displaying life threatening stunts during performance of Gatka and other martial arts on occasion of nagar kirtans, Sikh festivals and rural sports fairs, the apex bodies working for promotion of the art at international level claimed to have launched a coordinated movement to spread awareness about consequences of the tendency, if allowed to continue.

A viral video showing miraculous escape of martial artists and spectators, including children and women during a stunt martial art performance amid fire on occasion of a nagar kirtan at a Malwa village, was reported to be an immediate trigger for the proactive step.

Office-bearers Gatka associations of the region led by president district Malerkotla Gatka Association Pardeep Singh said they had prepared a draft plan to organise workshops and seminars at educational institutes, playgrounds and religious organisations for sensitising stakeholders about consequences of performing stunts during martial art demonstrations.

Harjeet Singh Grewal, president, World Gatka Federation and National Gatka Association of India regretted that a large number of martial art groups had been involved in ‘stunt-bazi’ at the cost of risk of human lives, that too in violation of basic principles of the sacred martial art Gatka. Claiming that the World Gatka Federation has already implemented ‘Gatka Rules and Regulations’, Grewal said the stunt-bazi is strictly banned in Gatka.