Punjab Government to Observe 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji as Human Rights Day; Mega Commemorative Events Planned Across State

Chandigarh, October 6, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced that the state government will approach the Union Government to recognize the martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, as Human Rights Day at the national level. The announcement was made during an interaction with members of the Sant Samaj in Chandigarh.

Mann emphasized that observing Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom day as Human Rights Day will promote secularism, communal harmony, and brotherhood, highlighting the Guru’s lifelong dedication to preserving human rights. “Sri Guru Teg Bahadur’s life is a lighthouse for humanity. Commemorating his sacrifice nationally will honor his legacy while fostering social cohesion,” he said.

The Chief Minister also revealed plans to construct Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg, tracing the route taken by the Guru to Delhi, where he was martyred. The Punjab PWD and Punjab Mandi Board will prepare a blueprint for this project, with potential extension up to Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi in coordination with the central government. Another path, honoring the legendary Sikh warrior Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji), who brought the Guru’s severed head to Sri Anandpur Sahib, will be developed and named Baba Jeevan Singh Marg. State governments along the route, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, will be requested to participate.

In addition, Mann announced the inclusion of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s life and philosophy in school curricula, as well as the immediate removal of any objectionable content from the Virasat-e-Khalsa museum that is inconsistent with Sikh sentiments. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enacting a strong anti-sacrilege law to ensure exemplary punishment for offenders.

The government is organizing a series of commemorative events for the 350th martyrdom day. The celebrations will commence at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi, on October 25, followed by state-wide Kirtan Darbars from November 1. Seminars on the Guru’s life, philosophy, and sacrifice will be held in educational institutions starting November 15.

Mann detailed the schedule of nagar kirtans: Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) on November 18, with participation of Kashmiri Pandits, reaching Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22 via Pathankot and Hoshiarpur; Takht Sri Damdama Sahib starting November 19; Faridkot and Gurdaspur starting November 20. All four processions will culminate in Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.

Mega events in Sri Anandpur Sahib will take place from November 23-25, featuring a tent city for 12,000 people named Chak Nanki, a Sarb Dharam Sammelan, exhibitions, and drone shows depicting Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s life and teachings. A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will also be organized, along with blood donation camps, plantation drives, a multi-storey parking facility for 500 vehicles, and a city bypass to decongest the holy city.

Mann sought blessings and suggestions from the Sant Samaj for organizing global commemorations in a befitting manner. He stated that the celebrations will focus on perpetuating the Guru’s ideology, supreme sacrifice, and inspirational legacy.

Prominent Sant Samaj members and state officials, including Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains, Harbhajan Singh ETO, and Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav, and Advisor Tourism Deepak Bali, attended the meeting.