Sikh MPs urge Centre to rename 'Veer Bal Diwas' as 'Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas'

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) have approached the Centre urging it to rename “Veer Bal Diwas” as “Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas”.

On the other hand, BJP leaders hail the Centre’s move saying the stories of valour and courage of Sikhs would have a wider reach though such national-level commemoration.

BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh Khiala claimed the Sikh community, by and large, along with Sikh scholars, historians, and preachers, have welcomed the PM’s initiative.

“A few individuals, to please their political masters, are trying to stir unnecessary controversy. Instead, let us encourage the PM so that he should take more decisions in favour of the Sikh Panth,” he said.

The Centre, in 2022, declared December 26 as “Veer Bal Diwas” to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Jorawar Singh, who were bricked alive on that day in 1704.

The Akal Takht and the SGPC argued that the nomenclature “Veer Bal Diwas” is not commensurate with the Sikh ethos and tenets. Although the Sahibzadas were quite young in age at the time of martyrdom, they were always referred to as “Babas” and their sacrifice was no less significant.

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and the Akal Takht Secretariat had written to at least 14 Sikh MPs to take up the issue with the Centre.

Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said he had been raising the demand to change the name in Parliament since it was conceptualised by the BJP-led Centre and announced by the PM. “I will continue to contest with the Centre till it is renamed as per the Sikh sentiments,” he said.

Lok Sabha MP (Amritsar) Gurjeet Singh Aujla said he had written to the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. “Irrespective of the party lines, all Sikh MPs should unitedly approach the Centre to change the nomenclature,” he said.

Lok Sabha member Malwinder Singh Kang and Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal said the current name diluted the Sikh Panth’s spiritual and historical depth.

“This renaming is not merely a linguistic shift, but a vital step to commemorate the ‘shaheedi’ of the ‘Sahibzadas’ with the reverence it commands,” Kang wrote to the PM.