Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has alleged that the sanctity of a religious event was violated by dance performances during a seminar organised by the Punjab government’s Language Department to mark the 350th martyrdom centenary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Srinagar.
Dhami strongly condemned the incident, saying that the manner in which presentations were made at the event was against the spirit of Guru Sahib’s martyrdom and had deeply hurt the concept of martyrdom, Gurmat Maryada and the ideology of Guru Sahib.
He said that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is among the highest in religious history and that every event held in connection with the centenary must align with Sikh maryada, devotion and respect for Gurbani. “But the Language Department Punjab has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh sangat by making this occasion a means of entertainment,” he said.
Dhami said the SGPC had already maintained that the centenaries and festivals of the Gurus should be celebrated by Sikh bodies, as government institutions often find it difficult to adhere to Gurmat Maryada.
“The recent move by the Language Department has sealed the SGPC’s resolve, which the Chief Minister should immediately understand, and the government should limit itself to development works,” he added.
He stressed that Sikh Gurpurabs are not ordinary celebrations or entertainment festivals but events dedicated to spiritual awareness and Gurmat principles, which include activities like Shabad Kirtan, Gurmat Chintan, Gurbani Path, Seva and Simran. “Dancing, singing or other recreational performances are not only a violation of Gurmat principles but also sacrilege of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib,” Dhami said.
The SGPC president has asked the Punjab government to tender a public apology for what he described as a grave negligence and to issue strict instructions to prevent such incidents in the future. He said the Sikh community would never tolerate any kind of sacrilege of Sikh traditions and the dignity of the Gurus.
