Latest news with #GuruTegBahadur
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Govt to conduct four yatras, other events to mark Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom day
Education minister Harjot Bains on Wednesday said the Punjab government has decided to organise four religious yatras and major events on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. Bains said that Akhand Path will be commenced on November 23 at Virasat-e-Khalsa (File) Accompanied by cabinet ministers, Harbhajan Singh ETO Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Bains attended the first meeting held at Virasat-e-Khalsa Anandpur Sahib and gave detailed information about the outline of the religious ceremonies to be held. Bains said that on November 19, a four-day religious pilgrimage will leave for Anandpur Sahib from Srinagar. He said similarly, yatras from Gurdaspur to Majha and Doaba Yatra, from Malwa, Bathinda and Faridkot will leave for Anandpur Sahib, covering almost all the districts and major cities of the state. These yatras will include Mashal-e-Shahadat, a library related to the biography, teachings and martyrdom of the ninth guru, gatka, panj nishanchi, panj pyaras, kirtani jatha, Kashmiri pandits and a large number of sangat, along with Kashmiri delegates, will also participate in the religious yatra. Bains said that Akhand Path will be commenced on November 23 at Virasat-e-Khalsa, in which prominent personalities and religious figures from the country and abroad, including chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will be present. On the same day, a digital exhibition depicting the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur will be inaugurated by the CM at Virasat-e-Khalsa.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SGPC urges Centre to release Sikh prisoners on Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom day anniv
The executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday passed a resolution urging the Centre to release Sikh prisoners on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami with executive members addressing a press conference on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal /HT) The committee also approved the establishment of a 'Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Chair' at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib. Speaking to the press after the meeting, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that during the 550th Prakash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019, the Union government had issued a notification regarding the release of some Sikh prisoners and commutation of Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence. 'However, that notification has not yet been implemented fully. He emphasised that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a historic opportunity for the Centre to implement that decision fully,' Dhami said. He further said that the SGPC has given in-principle approval for establishing a dedicated Chair in the name of Guru Teg Bahadur at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University. 'The Chair will focus on original and research-based work on the life, travels, and martyrdom of the ninth Guru, along with philosophical studies on his divine gurbani (verses),' he said. In another decision, Dhami said the SGPC will support preparations for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam through its directorate of education. 'Selected students will be provided free graduation education and a monthly stipend, as part of its Nishchai Administrative Services Preparatory Academy and Nishchai Judicial Academy programmes', the SGPC chief said. He also demanded the immediate reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor and said the holy site holds deep emotional and spiritual significance for Sikhs. Dhami ducks question on rebel group's poll schedule Dhami didn't comment on the Akal Takht-appointed panel's announcement of holding elections to pick the party president and office-bearers at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall, the gurdwara body's headquarters, on August 11. On Sunday, Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD camp made it clear that it will not participate in the upcoming election of office-bearers scheduled for August 11. Senior SAD leader Cheema dismissed the rebel faction's efforts, calling the membership drive a 'farce. He questioned the legitimacy of the five-member committee, which claimed to have inducted 26 lakh new members, given the resignation of two key figures.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Get a sapling at 2, plant a tree
1 2 Ludhiana: Now residents of the city can get saplings for as little as Rs 2 from the divisional forest office here. With 18 lakh saplings kept in 31 nurseries spread across the district, the forest department has set a target of planting over 1,50,000 of these in July and August. These saplings would have otherwise cost them Rs 20-Rs 25, if bought from the open market. DFO (Ludhiana) Rajesh Kumar Gulati said, "About 88% of the plants that were planted in the district last year have survived. Encouraged by that, we are aiming at planting 1,53,000 saplings this year." Confirming that the department is giving out saplings for Rs 2, the DFO said, "Punjab govt took this decision to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. Any NGO or individual willing to plant trees can approach us at the office or visit any of the 31 nurseries we have in the city." The forest officer further said as per govt instructions, for any NGO that wants to take more than 1,000 saplings, officials will first visit and inspect the area where they intend to plant the trees. Only after they find that the respective NGO has enough space for plantation, the saplings will be provided. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyprus investments might be cheaper than you think Cyprus Investments | Search Ads Get Info Undo Gulati said, "The district administration is also promoting plantation in a big way. Deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain has already conducted three meetings with the representatives of departments such as the police, Glada, Ludhiana municipal corporation, the National Disaster Response Force, defence, health and also PAU, among others. These departments have sought 6 lakh saplings of which 2 lakh have already been planted. " He urged those willing to plant trees to do so with utmost care.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Controversy erupts over 'singing and dancing' performances at Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom anniversary
CHANDIGARH: A major controversy has erupted over the inclusion of dance and musical performances in an event to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in Srinagar. The event was organised by the Language Department of the Punjab Government in association with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. It has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh bodies like the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which are objecting to 'singing and dancing' on the occasion. Famous Punjab singer Bir Singh tendered an unconditional apology to the Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs) over the faux pas. The event was part of a series of government initiatives to mark the centenary, featuring singers and dance performers, provoking outrage within the Sikh community, particularly on social media. The videos have gone viral on social media along with a symbolic picture comparing the massacre of Sikhs during the Mughal period with a picture of singing and dancing at an event organised by the government on July 24. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly condemned the incident. He said that the manner in which the event was conducted was against the sanctity of the guru's supreme sacrifice and was a direct affront to Sikh religious values and the core philosophy of Guru Teg Bahadur. He stated that the presentation at the government's event struck a blow to both the concept of martyrdom and the revered Sikh code of conduct (Gurmat Maryada). Dhami emphasised that the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur holds a unique and unparalleled place in the religious history of the world. "Therefore, any event organised to mark this centenary must align strictly with Sikh traditions, reverence, restraint, and the spirit of Gurbani. However, by turning this solemn occasion into an entertainment affair, the Language Department of Punjab has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community," he said.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
19-year-old pushed off roof by stalker in NE Delhi dies
A 19-year-old woman died on Wednesday, two days after being thrown off a five-storey building allegedly by a stalker in northeast Delhi's Ashok Nagar. Police said the victim's family claimed the accused, a 30-year-old man who had been harassing her for months, disguised himself in a burqa, sneaked into her building, and flung her off the terrace in front of her father. 19-year-old pushed off roof by stalker in NE Delhi dies The attack, which occurred around 8.30am on Monday, stunned the neighbourhood, triggered demands for justice, and led to a heavy police deployment amid fears of communal tension—the victim was Hindu, and the accused Muslim. According to the police, the accused, identified as Taufiq-Ur-Rehman, is on the run. Deputy commissioner of police (northeast) Ashish Kumar Mishra said a case of attempted murder and criminal intimidation was initially registered, later converted to murder. The accused is originally from Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, and worked as a daily wager in Ashok Nagar's local market. He had befriended the family years ago, celebrating festivals like Raksha Bandhan with the victim and her two sisters. But for the past three months, her family alleged, he had been stalking her, making unwelcome advances, and threatening her when she rebuffed him. However, they told police they did not file a police complaint as they said they never imagined the accused would harm anyone in the family, according to a police officer privy to the case. 'We never thought he would go so far as to kill her,' said her father, a private security guard. He recalled how his daughter had gone to the terrace to switch on the water pump and called her mother saying it wasn't working. 'Minutes later, I heard her scream. I ran up and saw Taufiq strangling her. When I tried to stop him, he pushed me aside and threw her off,' he said. She fell nearly 50 feet, landing on bricks in a vacant lot, he said. Her family rushed her to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, but she died nearly 12 hours later. Taufiq fled the scene, evading attempts by the woman's father and at least two neighbours to catch him. CCTV footage captured him entering and leaving the neighbourhood in the burqa. Police teams are now conducting raids in Delhi and UP to apprehend him. DCP Mishra said they received a call at around 8.30am on Monday reporting the crime. The victim's house was shrouded in grief when HT visited on Tuesday. The victim had completed her schooling and worked at a private firm in Mandoli. Her family—parents and four siblings—had no inkling of the violence to come. Her elder sister said Taufiq was treated like family. 'We used to tie rakhi on his wrist. We never imagined he would do this,' she said. As news of the murder spread, tension gripped the neighbourhood. Ashok Vihar market wore a deserted look Tuesday with all shops shut, and members of right-wing outfits gathered outside the victim's house to express solidarity with the heartbroken family. Satender Sharma, general secretary of Agrasen Market Association, Ashok Nagar, said, 'Members of the market association held a meeting on Monday evening and it was unanimously decided that we will keep the market shut on Tuesday to show our solidarity towards the family. The association has decided that shopkeepers will not employ any Muslim labourer in their shops.' 'This has never happened here before,' said a local resident. 'Now, no one feels safe. Parents are scared to send their daughters outside.' The victim's aunt called for the death penalty. 'We would have protected her if we knew this is what she was going through,' she said, adding that the young woman had recently started a new job. 'She had dreams.' Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges, including under stalking and sections related to crimes against women. Until late evening Tuesday, police personnel remained stationed in the locality. 'We are maintaining vigilance to prevent any flare-up,' a senior police official said.
