Amritsar: Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami have strongly objected to an advertisement issued by the Haryana government that referred to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as “Veer Banda Bairagi” in a tribute marking his martyrdom day.
In a video message, Jathedar Gargaj said the Haryana government’s language was an attempt to distort Sikh history. Remembering Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as a great Sikh warrior, he said, “This is an effort to change his identity and mix Sikh history.”
He urged the Sikh community in Haryana to register their protest with the state government and directed the SGPC to take appropriate steps to counter what he called a deliberate misrepresentation.
SGPC president Advocate Dhami also condemned the advertisement, calling it an insult to Sikh values and the legacy of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. “He fought against the Mughal Empire under the guidance of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and took revenge for the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas,” Dhami said.
He further said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur laid the foundation of the first Sikh state, abolished the feudal system, and granted land rights to farmers, promoting social equality. Dhami added that calling him “Veer Banda Bairagi” was historically incorrect and an attempt to undermine the distinct Sikh identity.
“This appears to be a deliberate move to dilute the originality and distinctiveness of Sikh history,” he said, demanding that the Haryana government stop such actions and take disciplinary steps against those responsible.
