DECEMBER 26 WILL NOW BE VEER BAL DIWAS, SAYS MODI

NEW DELHI: December 26 will be celebrated as Veer Baal Diwas from 2022 as a tribute to the bravery and martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday on the occasion of the 365th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru. “I am honoured to share that starting this year, 26th December shall be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas.”

NEW DELHI:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that starting this year, December 26 will be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ as a tribute to the courage of Sahibzadas (Guru Gobind Singh’s sons) and their quest for justice.

“Today, on the auspicious occasion of the Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, I am honoured to share that starting this year, 26th December shall be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas.’

This is a fitting tribute to the courage of the Sahibzadas,” PM Modi tweeted.

“Veer Baal Diwas will be on the same day Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji attained martyrdom after being sealed alive in a wall,” he tweeted.

Earlier today, extended his greetings on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh’s Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru.

SGPC opposes decision

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex gurdwara body, on Sunday raised an objection over the term ‘Baal Veer Diwas’ given to 10th Sikh Master Guru Gobind Singh’s Chhote Sahibzade (younger sons) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said: “Their martyrdom day cannot be called ‘Baal Veer Diwas’ as it is not according to the Gurmat (Sikh principles). Sahibzades have a tall stature in Sikh religion. This term is not appropriate for martyrs. The PM may have taken this decision in haste, without consulting the Sikhs.”