Punjab CM Mann pays tribute at Fatehgarh Sahib

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday paid obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, where a three-day Shaheedi Sabha, or martyrdom congregation, is underway. The annual congregation is held from December 25 to 27 in memory of Sahibzades Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger sons of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, and their grandmother Mata Gujri.

Mann, accompanied by his wife, bowed his head to the unparalleled martyrdom of the ‘Chhote Sahibzadas’ and Mata Gujri. Highlighting the significance of the days of Shaheedi Sabha, Mann said all of Punjab observes these days as “days of mourning,” as it was during this period that the tyrant rulers bricked alive the younger Sahibzadas. Nearly 50 lakh devotees visit Fatehgarh Sahib during the Shaheedi Sabha to seek blessings at the holy shrine, he added.

Interacting with the media persons after paying obeisance, Mann said these great sacrifices remain unmatched in history and will continue to inspire future generations to resist tyranny, oppression, and injustice.

“Every inch of this sacred land is blessed, drawing countless devotees who come to bow before this holy place. This pious soil is a source of inspiration not only for Sikhs but for the entire human race,” he said.

On the controversy surrounding the naming of the younger Sahibzadas’ martyrdom day as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, Mann said that when the decision was first taken by the BJP-led Union Government, the Shiromani Akali Dal publicly supported it through a tweet. However, he said that now, under public pressure, the party has now taken a U-turn.

“The supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas cannot be expressed in words or attached to a specific day. The Akali Dal’s reversal proves that the party is not sincere toward religion or heritage,” he alleged.

Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj had written to Sikh Members of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, urging them to ask the Centre to change the name of the martyrdom day of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh from ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas.’

SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had also asked the Centre to observe the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas as ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas, instead of ‘Veer Bal Diwas,’ saying it misrepresents Sikh ethos and tenets.

Referring to the sacrifice of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, CM Mann noted that their supreme act to uphold the human right to follow one’s faith according to conscience stands unparalleled in human history.

“The Sikh tradition remembers this as the ‘Nikkian jinda, vadde Saake’, a tragedy that, even after more than three centuries, continues to evoke deep pain among Sikhs worldwide,” he stated.

Mann said he prayed to the Almighty for Punjab’s continued prosperity, harmony, peace, and strengthening of human values of brotherhood and goodwill.

He said he considered himself fortunate that the Almighty blessed him with the opportunity to serve the people of the state.

Sharing details about the arrangements for devotees arriving from around the world, said, “The Punjab Government has made extensive provisions for healthcare, transport, cleanliness, and security to ensure that no devotee faces inconvenience. Making such arrangements during the Shaheedi Sabha is the Government’s foremost duty, which it fulfills with full dedication.”

The CM also mentioned that this year, the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, is being commemorated with deep devotion and respect.

He recalled that in November, on the occasion of Guru’s martyrdom, the Punjab Government announced the designation of three Takht towns as holy cities.

“The official notification has already been issued for granting holy-city status to the walled city area of Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib, thereby fulfilling a long-standing demand of the sangat worldwide,” he highlighted.

Paying rich tributes to the BJP stalwart on his birth centenary, Nagenthran also said that under his leadership, Indian politics reached new heights.

Vajpayee proved through his actions that respect for governance, integrity in public life, and national interest should be the centre of politics, he added.

“He was a leader who, without losing balance and compassion even in difficult moments, firmly protected national unity and democratic values,” the BJP state president said in a post on social media.

“Today is the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His political style, which combined dignity and humanity, is a rare quality that makes even his opponents respect him,” he said.

Vajpayee’s vision that politics should be for the future of the nation, not for personal gain, has inspired generations. The mark he left in Indian politics was something that time cannot erase, he added.

Hailing Vajpayee as the architect of the new India, convener of TN BJP coordination committee H Raja said the former Prime Minister was instrumental for the Golden Triangle Road project from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and had implemented the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, a scheme to feed the poor across the country to see India free from hunger and starvation.

“He announced the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, with the aim of providing free education to all the poor and established schools across the country. He established the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Scheme in every village and connected the country with roads,” Raja said in a post recalling the achievements of the former Prime Minister.

Stating that Vajpayee’s leadership was marked by moral clarity, strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to democratic values, Governor R N Ravi said the former PM was a visionary leader, distinguished parliamentarian, eloquent orator and poet.

“He strengthened India’s democratic ethos while fostering national unity through dialogue and consensus,” he said in a statement.

At a defining moment in India’s history, his stewardship enabled the nation to emerge as a nuclear-capable power, providing long-term strategic assurance and reinforcing national security.

“His legacy continues to inspire our collective journey toward a secure, confident and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the Governor said.

BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy said in a post that Vajpayee’s enduring schemes uplifted ordinary citizens and they were continued under successive Governments. He listed out the numerous initiatives, including health initiatives, power sector reforms, the Pokhran-II (1998) testing and the victory in the Kargil War.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s (SJTA) chief, Arabinda Padhee, said the meeting on December 27 will deliberate on the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inventorisation of ornaments and valuables of the Ratna Bhandar. The previous inventory of the valuables was conducted in 1978. The process required 72 days for completion.

Justice Rath said that in the upcoming inventory, the committee will count all the items stored in the Ratna Bhandar. “For security reasons, the counting will be done inside the inner chamber of the treasury. This inventory will be tallied with that of 1978,” he said.

The Ratna Bhandar was reopened in 2024 after four decades for repair works, which were completed in July this year. The valuables were taken back to the treasury after the completion of the work.

Justice Rath said the inventory will be held, keeping in mind the rituals of the temple.

“We will aim to complete it in less than last time’s 72 days. The previous inventory was conducted by lighting an earthen lamp. This time, we have electric light. Therefore, the inventory can be done easily,” he said.

The ornaments and other valuables in the treasury will be digitised, he added.

Another SJTA official said the December 27 meeting will lay the groundwork for how these valuables will be handled, weighed, and documented without causing any disruption to the daily ‘Niti-Kanti’ or rituals of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.

Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, headed by the ‘Gajapati Maharaja’ of Puri, Dibyasingh Deb, will review the SOP to ensure it aligns with the temple’s ancient traditions.

State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, meanwhile, claimed the inventory process may take about four months.