Chandigarh, Dec 29: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has strongly opposed using the term “Bal Veer” for the Sahibzade, sons of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, saying it fails to capture their spiritual and historical significance.
Satnam Singh Chahal, NAPA’s executive director, said Monday, “The Sahibzade were not just brave children. They were spiritually aware martyrs who knowingly sacrificed their lives to uphold Sikh values and justice.”
Chahal added, “Using the term ‘Bal Veer’ weakens the depth of their sacrifice and oversimplifies an important chapter of Sikh history. They should be referred to as Sahibzade, Shaheedi Sahibzade, or Chhote Sahibzade, as used in Sikh tradition.”
NAPA urged schools, cultural organizations, and media outlets to adopt historically accurate and respectful terminology to preserve Sikh history for younger generations.
The issue has gained attention since 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced December 26 as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzade Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.
