During a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the state's political landscape witnessed a sharp debate over the nomenclature of a day commemorating the martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. The Opposition Congress raised a strong objection to the term 'Veer Bal Diwas', calling it a misnomer and an attempt to distort Sikh history, while the ruling AAP and other parties largely avoided the contentious issue.
Congress Demands Resolution Against 'Historical Distortion'
At the onset of the session, Congress member Rana Gurjit Singh called for a formal resolution against what he termed as "attempts to distort the history of Sikhs." He argued that the day, announced by the Central Government in January 2022 to be observed on December 26, should rightfully be called 'Sahibzadas Shahadat Diwas' (Martyrdom Day of the Sahibzadas).
Singh passionately stated that referring to the revered Sahibzadas as merely 'children' (Bal) was inappropriate. "They were not children; they are our babas (revered elders)," he asserted. He extended his argument to another historical figure, Banda Singh Bahadur, criticizing the use of the term 'Banda Bairagi', which references his life before becoming a Khalsa, as disrespectful.
BJP Defends Centre's Stance, Urges Moving Beyond Semantics
Responding to the Congress's charges, BJP's state acting president and Pathankot MLA, Ashwani Sharma, stepped in to clarify the central government's position. He emphasized that the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas was being remembered across the nation in every language. "We are stuck on the name," he remarked, urging the house to look at the broader sentiment of unity the sacrifice represented.
Sharma recited Hindi poems on the assembly floor, honouring the younger Sahibzadas and framing their martyrdom as a unifying force for the country. When pressed by AAP minister Aman Arora to name who had recommended the 'Veer Bal Diwas' title, Sharma declined, stating he did not wish to indulge in politics on such a solemn occasion and pointed to information available on social media.
Cross-Party Homage Amidst Political Tensions
Despite the political sparring between Congress and BJP, the special session began with tributes from Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who paid homage to the unparalleled sacrifice of the four Sahibzadas, vowing they would never be forgotten.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (AAP) highlighted the profound nature of the sacrifice, noting that the Sahibzadas were martyred at an age when children are scarcely aware of their surroundings. Members from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also paid their respects, remembering the historical event.
AAP MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar gave a clarion call to maintain the dignity of the occasion, urging members not to lower its solemnity with arguments. He recounted how the young Sahibzadas, Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (7), along with their grandmother Mata Gujri Ji, were executed in Sirhind in December 1704 after refusing to renounce their faith.
The debate underscores the sensitive intersection of faith, history, and politics in Punjab, where the commemoration of sacred events remains deeply significant and often politically charged.
