‘Grave insult': Akal Takht head, SGPC object to Haryana govt ads referring to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as ‘Veer Banda Bairagi'

Indian Express

4 days ago

The acting Jathedar of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on Wednesday issued a statement condemning the Haryana government for referring to Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as 'Veer Banda Bairagi' in its public advertisements issued to commemorate his martyrdom day.
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a Sikh commander of the Khalsa army who liberated a large part of North India from Mughal rule and established the Khalsa rule in Punjab. His martyrdom day is observed on June 25.
'The Sikh community must remain alert to anti-Sikh narratives. The Haryana government must be made aware of the facts through coordination by Sikhs in the state,' Gargaj said in his statement.
He also asked the Sikh community to take serious note of what he termed a distortion of Sikh identity and urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to ensure coordination with Sikh representatives in Haryana on the matter.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also expressed strong objection to the reference. 'This is not only a violation of Sikh principles, but also a grave insult to the life and martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur,' Dhami said.
'Referring to him as 'Veer Banda Bairagi' deeply hurts Sikh sentiments. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur became an initiated Sikh under the guidance of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He renounced the Bairagi identity and led the Khalsa in battle against the Mughal Empire,' he added.
Dhami also highlighted Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's role in establishing the first Sikh rule and abolishing the feudal land system. 'He granted land rights to farmers, which marked a significant step toward social equality,' Dhami stated.
'This appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine Sikh identity and misrepresent Sikh history,' he said, demanding that the Haryana government stop issuing such advertisements and take strict action against those responsible.
The Haryana government is yet to respond.