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Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister and Language Department Head Over Martyrdom Programme

Sikh institutions are asserting their authority with a hearing on August 1 to address the alleged breach of religious norms at the state-run commemoration

The event was organised by the Punjab language department to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in Srinagar on Thursday. (SOURCED)
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee chief Harjinder Singh Dhami (left) sought an apology from the Punjab government. (File photo)
Education minister Harjot Singh Bains posted an apology on X on Saturday afternoon. (HT File)
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Overview

  • The Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has issued formal summons for Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Language Department director Jaswant Singh Zafar to appear before the Five Singh Sahiban on August 1 over a Srinagar event.
  • Bains posted a public apology on X, acknowledging an unintentional oversight at the July 24 programme, and pledged to present himself barefoot and comply with any directives.
  • Singer Bir Singh, whose performance and audience dancing drew criticism, has already tendered an apology to the Akal Takht and accepted potential religious penalties.
  • SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the entertainment-style event as a direct affront to Sikh maryada and reiterated that major commemorations must be led by Sikh bodies, not government departments.
  • The upcoming hearing will test the balance between Punjab’s AAP government and Sikh institutions over jurisdiction in organising sacred anniversary observances.