A significant political and religious controversy has erupted in Chandigarh, with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK launching a strong rebuttal against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawala. The dispute centers on the naming of the December 26 martyrdom day of the Chotte Sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh.
Allegations of Falsehood and Misinformation
On Tuesday, Manjit Singh GK categorically stated that BJP leader Pritpal Singh Baliawala was lying about him and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal recommending the name 'Veer Bal Diwas' for the observance. He expressed frustration over the false narrative being propagated, emphasizing that there is not a single press release from the DSGMC that supports the BJP leader's claim.
To set the record straight, Manjit Singh mentioned that he had shared a video link from a relevant seminar. This video evidence, he asserted, makes it abundantly clear that neither the SAD chief nor he himself ever demanded the day be named 'Veer Bal Diwas'. His statement aims to directly counter the allegations made by the BJP spokesperson.
Support for Akal Takht Directive and Threat of Legal Action
Manjit Singh GK further clarified his position by aligning with the directive of the acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He pointed out that the BJP leader was actually opposing the directive from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority. The Akal Takht jathedar had directed Sikh MPs to demand the renaming of the day as 'Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas' instead of 'Veer Bal Diwas'.
In a firm escalation of the matter, Manjit Singh announced that he would initiate legal action against Pritpal Singh Baliawala for his statements. He also brought another figure into the fray, mentioning that Giani Harpreet Singh, the then acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, was fully aware of the facts. Manjit Singh accused the former jathedar of now trying to mislead the Sikh community (sangat) by posting misleading content on social media platforms.
Implications and Rising Tensions
This controversy highlights the sensitive intersection of religion, politics, and historical commemoration in Punjab. The disagreement over the nomenclature of the Sahibzade's martyrdom day is not merely semantic; it touches upon issues of religious authority, political posturing, and historical interpretation. The threat of legal action by a senior SAD leader against a BJP spokesperson indicates a significant deterioration in communication and trust between the political entities involved.
The situation puts the spotlight on the authority of the Akal Takht's directives and how political parties respond to them. With Manjit Singh GK staunchly supporting the current jathedar's call for 'Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas', the pressure now rests on other Sikh leaders and MPs to clarify their stance. This incident is likely to fuel further debate within the Sikh community and in the political landscape of Punjab, especially concerning the representation and observance of its sacred history.
