Chandigarh, Oct 7 — Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said his government will urge the Centre to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur as “Human Rights Day”, honouring the Sikh Guru’s sacrifice for protecting the right to freedom of faith.
Interacting with members of the Sant Samaj, Mann said Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was an “epitome of secularism and socialism” who laid down his life to defend human values and religious liberty. “Observing his martyrdom anniversary as Human Rights Day will help strengthen the spirit of secularism, communal harmony, and brotherhood across the country,” the CM said.
Mann announced that the Punjab government will also explore constructing a Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg along the route taken by the Guru while travelling to Delhi, where he was martyred. “Similarly, the path taken by Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) to bring back the severed ‘Sees’ (head) of Guru Tegh Bahadur will be developed and named as Baba Jeevan Singh Marg,” he noted.
The chief minister outlined a detailed plan of commemorative programmes being organised as part of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The events will begin on October 25 with a special ceremony at Gurdwara Seesh Ganj Sahib in Delhi, followed by a series of kirtan darbars across Punjab starting November 1.
Mann said that seminars on the Guru’s life, philosophy, and sacrifice will be organised in every educational institution across the state from November 15, to inspire young people with his message of courage and compassion.
The chief minister also announced that a kirtan darbar will be held in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) on November 18, followed by a nagar kirtan the next day, which will include participation from Kashmiri Pandits. “This nagar kirtan will travel from Srinagar to Anandpur Sahib, entering Punjab through Pathankot and passing via Hoshiarpur, before reaching its destination on November 22,” he said.
Additionally, separate nagar kirtans will start from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on November 19, and from Faridkot and Gurdaspur on November 20. All four processions will converge at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22, marking a symbolic unification of faith and heritage.
To conclude the commemorations, the state government will host mega events at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25, celebrating Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy of sacrifice, equality, and humanity.
“The Guru’s message of standing up for truth and protecting others’ rights is as relevant today as it was three centuries ago,” Mann said, adding that the state will ensure the celebrations reflect both devotion and unity.
