Amritsar-Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadar, rather than creating a confrontational atmosphere through separate religious events. This statement was made today by Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), during a press conference at the SGPC office.
Advocate Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, programs have been organized across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab government’s announcement of separate programs—overlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Sri Anandpur Sahib—will cause confusion among the Sangat and goes against long-standing traditions of the Khalsa Panth.
He alleged that it appears the government is deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organizations while the governments supporting them.
Advocate Dhami questioned why the government has not shown due seriousness towards nearly 12 Sikh centenaries during its tenure—including the centenary of the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha, the centenary of the Saka Sri Panja Sahib, 200 years of Shaheedi of Akali Baba Phoola Singh, Sri Guru Angad Dev’s Guruship Day, and the 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Amar Das.
He recalled how earlier governments cooperated with the Panth in marking the centenaries, establishing major memorials such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Guru Nanak Hospital (Amritsar), and colleges during Sri Guru Nanak Dev’s 500th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in 1969; Virasat-e-Khalsa and Panj Piara Park during the 300th Khalsa Sajna Diwas in 1999; and a historical memorial at Chappar Chiri in 2010 in remembrance of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar’s victory at Sirhind.
However, the current government led by Bhagwant Mann is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organizations, he said.
Dhami reaffirmed that the SGPC, as the supreme religious body of the Sikh Panth, has already made clear that heads of all governments will be invited to participate in these commemorations, ensuring inclusivity. In such a context, the government's move to announce parallel programs raises serious concerns.
He also criticized the government for neglecting the poor condition of roads leading to Sri Anandpur Sahib—the birthplace of the Khalsa—forcing voluntary religious groups to take up road (Garhshankar to Sri Anandpur Sahib) construction work themselves for the sake of the Sangat.
Advocate Dhami urged the government to instead focus on establishing meaningful institutions such as a university, medical college, or hospital in the Guru’s name, which would serve the community and humanity. He also emphasized the need to build memorials for Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dyala—who were martyred alongside Sri Guru Teg Bahadar—rather than creating divisions in the Panth through political manoeuvring.
Present on the occasion were SGPC members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur, Avtar Singh Raya, Gurmeet Singh Booh, OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, Dharam Parchar Committee Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Personal Secretary Shahbaz Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib General Manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera, Assistant Secretary Prof Sukhdev Singh, Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Harbhajan Singh Vakta, Superintendent Nishan Singh, among others.