Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend and address the national programme at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today, with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees in attendance.
- The Ministry of Education directed all states and Union Territories to run school activities such as storytelling, debates, poster-making and essays to commemorate the younger Sahibzadas’ martyrdom.
- Akal Takht and the SGPC have asked Sikh MPs to push for renaming the observance to Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas, and the acting jathedar has called a clergy meeting for December 28.
- The BJP and government officials have defended the existing name Veer Bal Diwas, with party leaders accusing the Shiromani Akali Dal of shifting its stance since the alliance split.
- At a Veer Bal Diwas tribute event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted Centre measures for the Sikh community, citing FCRA approval for the Golden Temple, the Kartarpur corridor, reopened 1984 riot cases, compensation and citizenship steps.