Observing Martyrdom anniversary of Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Divas amounts to belittling unparalleled sacrifice in world history

 

Observing Martyrdom anniversary of Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Divas amounts to belittling  unparalleled sacrifice in world history

Ground Zero

Jagtar Singh

 

Hum Jaan De Ke Auron Ki Jaane Bachaa Chale

Sikhi Ki Neev Hum Hain Saron Pe Utha Chale

Guriayee Ka Hai Kissa Jahan Mein Bana Chale

Singhon Ki Saltanat Ka Hai Pauda Lagaa Chale

Gaddi Se Taajo-Takhat Bas Ab Qaum Payegi

Duniya Se Zalimon Ka Nishaan Tak Mitayegi

 

This is Allah Yaar Khan Yogi paying his tributes the unprecedented martyrdom of two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh- Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh who were approximately eight and six years old when they were bricked alive by Sirhind Subedar Wazir Khan and executed on December 26, 1705.

They were just not Bals (Kids).

They are the youngest martyrs of Faith in the history of the world.

Going by Allah Yaar Khan, the unique martyrdom of the two Sahibzadas now revered as ‘Babas’ by the Sikhs laid the foundation of the Sikh rule.

Till some years back, the tradition around Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind) was that the people would sleep on the ground during the Martyrdom week that starts with Sahibzada Ajit Singh  and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh who sacrifice their lives while fighting the Mughal army at Chamkaur Sahib.

No celebratory function would be organised during that the most tragic period in Sikh history.

The intention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi can’t be questioned who today announced that the Martyrdom Day of these two martyrs would be marked as ‘Veer Baal Divas’.

They were not just brave kids (Veer Baal) as their martyrdom transcends all such worldly adjectives. This ‘honour’ reduces their martyrdom.

The government should stay away from making such announcements relating to the Faith without understanding the deeper nuances and understanding the context.

Of course, a section of the Sikh leaders from Akali Dal like Manjiinder Singh Sirsa who has now joined the Bharatiya Janata Party had launched campaign to observe this day as Children’s Day. It is pertinent to mention that it is birthday of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru on November 14 that is celebrated as the Children’s Day.

It is the timing of the announcement that is also highly significant.

Within minutes of the release of a news item referring to Modi quoted as saying that he had returned safely  (from Punjab), hate campaign was triggered by the Sangh Pasrivar and the BJP social media handles attacking the Sikhs reminding them of November 1984 genocide patronised by the Congress within hours of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two security men who happened to be Sikhs. The assassination was to avenge Operation Bluestar, the army attack on the Golden Temple complex.

Neither Modi nor BJP chief J P Nadda has spoken even a word on this hate campaign.

Ironically, most of the political parties in Punjab have also maintained studied silence.

The hate campaign vilified the Sikhs.

Only Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief H S Dhami have condemned the maligning of the Sikhs.

The comment of Modi portrayed Punjab as unsafe or disturbed state.

The fact was that he could not have addressed empty chairs at Ferozepur rally organised by his party.

The Punjab government must be questioned for any security lapse but an entire community can’t be sullied for a situation.

Modi’s carcade had stopped about a km from the spot where the road had been blocked as the police had stopped a group of farmers from moving to Ferozepur who were to join the protest against Modi called some farmer organisations.

The videos of the spot are in circulation. And those who managed to reach near Modi’s carcade were the BJP people raising ‘Modi Zindabad’ slogans and waving BJP flags. The farmers were just not there.

The BJP leaders must answer for the hate campaign unleashed against the Sikhs as a community by reminding them of their genocide in November 1984.

However, the more important question of that of belittling of the martyrdom of the two Sahibzadas as the Bal Divas.

Former SGPC general secretary Kiranjot Kaur on social media has slammed this announcement while Dal Khalsa senior leader Kanwar Pal Singh said the government should desist from interfering in matters of Faith.

The BJP must condemn the hate campaign against the Sikhs.

The government should at least change Veer Bal Divas to Shaheed Bal Divas.