Chandigarh (National Times): A sharp war of words has broken out between the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the organization of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The controversy began when the SGPC accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of bypassing Sikh traditions by announcing a state-level event independently. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that centenary functions linked to Sikh Gurus must be held under the leadership of the SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikh community. He further said that the government’s duty should be confined to providing administrative support, not leading such spiritual events.
Reacting strongly to Dhami’s comments, CM Bhagwant Mann questioned the SGPC’s claim of exclusivity:
“Do they have a copyright over Sikh events? Every citizen and institution of Punjab has the right to honor our Gurus. This isn’t about authority—it’s about devotion.”
Mann emphasized that his government’s event is not aimed at competing with the SGPC but at ensuring inclusive participation of all Punjabis. “We are organizing this in reverence to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s unparalleled sacrifice. How can anyone stop us from paying tribute?” he said.
SGPC officials, however, warned that parallel programs dilute the sanctity and unity of commemorations, calling the move politically motivated. “The government should not politicize Sikh religious milestones. These functions require understanding of Sikh Maryada, which SGPC has guarded for a century,” Dhami noted.
This is not the first instance of friction between the two bodies. In recent years, the SGPC and the state government have clashed on several religious and administrative matters, including appointments, event protocols, and the management of historical gurdwaras.
As the date of the anniversary approaches, the rift underscores a broader struggle over religious representation and authority in Punjab. Whether the two sides can find common ground remains uncertain, but what is clear is that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s legacy deserves respectful, unified commemoration—above politics and power plays.
