As Punjab gears up to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas or martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, on November 25, several Sikh scholars and organisations have urged the state government to ensure that the spiritual essence of his supreme sacrifice — protection of dharam — remains at the core of all celebrations.

The appeal comes after the Bhagwant Mann -led Punjab government recently announced that Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom day will be celebrated as Human Rights Day. Sikh intellectuals and religious bodies have welcomed the intent, but cautioned against conflating modern notions of “human rights” with the spiritual context of the Guru’s martyrdom.

“Guru Tegh Bahadur’s supreme sacrifice was for the protection of dharam (faith and righteousness), not as part of a

See Full Page