Chandigarh/AMRITSAR, August 7 – The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to lead a worldwide commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Ninth Sikh Guru, proposing a sweeping 11-point plan to bring global attention to His sacrifice for human rights and religious freedom.
In a letter addressed to SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur called for large-scale international engagement that would portray Guru Sahib as a universal symbol of liberty. “We believe the anniversary should echo globally as a reminder of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s stand for conscience and justice,” Dr. Kanwaljit said.
The GSC has requested that global heads of state and diplomats be invited to Punjab for commemorative events and suggested foreign governments issue stamps or coins in Guru Sahib’s honour. The Council said SGPC’s foreign offices can assist with historical details and design inputs.
The GSC also called for the Indian government to issue a national stamp and coin, and to instruct its embassies to host lectures, Kirtan Darbars and seminars explaining Guru Sahib’s role in protecting religious freedom—particularly His stand for Kashmiri Pandits and the brutal martyrdom of His disciples Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dayala.
Dr. Kanwaljit stated the anniversary offers an opportunity to showcase Sikh values to the world through coordinated programs. “We must engage not just the Sangat, but the global public, with Guru Sahib’s legacy,” she wrote.
GSC’s proposals also include an international educational push: publishing a concise multilingual book on Guru Sahib’s life and sacrifice; requesting the Ministry of Education to initiate special classroom sessions; and urging All India Radio and Doordarshan to broadcast Shabad Kirtan and historical content during prime time in November.
A major diplomatic proposal involves writing to the United Nations Secretary-General to dedicate the upcoming International Human Rights Day to Guru Tegh Bahadur, framing the day around minority rights and religious freedom, with His martyrdom as the focal example.
“This commemoration should not be symbolic—it must move governments and global institutions to acknowledge Guru Sahib’s role in the history of human rights,” Dr. Kanwaljit wrote.
The Council also recommended that Gurdwara committees worldwide organise spiritual and educational events in November. It suggested reducing extravagant Langars in favour of focused awareness programs on Guru Sahib’s life.
Further, the GSC proposed the launch of an annual Gurmat Awareness Week to be observed globally, along with an online portal or app hosting Gurbani content, Guru Sahib’s writings, site information and scholar commentary to connect Sikh youth and promote interfaith understanding.
An international human rights award in Guru Sahib’s name—awarded via Sri Akal Takhat Sahib—was also proposed to honour individuals championing freedom and justice.
GSC officials from the UK, USA, India, France, Malaysia, Australia, Nepal and Indonesia jointly backed the proposals in a recent virtual meeting. The Council expressed full cooperation in implementing the initiatives, stating, “With the SGPC’s leadership, this anniversary can become a global reflection of the values Guru Tegh Bahadur lived and died for.”
