Overview
- Uttar Pradesh declared December 27 a public holiday for Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti through an executive order, closing government offices and all educational institutions statewide.
- Several regions, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh and Bihar, observed closures, with Punjab treating the day as a gazetted holiday.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered Parkash Utsav greetings after leading Veer Bal Diwas observances on December 26, stressing the Sahibzadas’ courage and nationwide educational outreach.
- The three-day Shaheedi Sabha at Fatehgarh Sahib ran from December 25 to 27, with Punjab’s chief minister saying nearly 50 lakh devotees visit the shrine during the congregation.
- A public dispute over the ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ name intensified as Punjab’s CM alleged a SAD reversal and the Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar urged ‘Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas’, while Rajasthan announced plans to include the Sahibzadas’ story in primary textbooks.