Jharkhand plans to host grand events marking 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Jamshedpur: With the completion of 350 years of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Govind Singh Ji’s Guruta Gaddi Diwas, efforts are underway in Jharkhand to organize state-level cultural, social, and literary programs commemorating these landmark events in Sikh history. The initiative is being spearheaded by Sardar Satbir Singh Somu, a prominent youth leader.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sardar Somu emphasized the significance of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who sacrificed his life in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, to protect India’s pluralistic and religious freedom. “Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s supreme sacrifice along with his disciples Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Ji is a golden chapter in the history of India. It was Guru Govind Singh Ji, who, at the age of 9, inspired his father to stand up for the protection of dharma and humanity,” said Somu.

In a meeting held at Circuit House, Jamshedpur, Sardar Somu met Sardar Jyoti Singh Matharu, Vice Chairman of the State Minority Commission, and proposed the formation of an official organizing committee under his leadership. The meeting also included key Sikh leaders such as Bhai Amarjit Singh (Ranchi), Ravindra Singh Rinku, Preetpal Singh, and Harpreet Singh Jagi, who discussed the initial blueprint of the planned events.

Somu stated that a delegation of Sikh community leaders will soon meet the Governor, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and ministers of Youth Affairs, Culture, and Minority Welfare, to submit a formal request for government support and fund allocation.

Recalling the historic celebration of the 350th Prakash Parv of Guru Govind Singh Ji held in Patna and Jharkhand in 2017 under then Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Somu said, “We now look forward to similar enthusiasm from the current Jharkhand government under CM Hemant Soren. Sikh communities across the country are organizing grand programs under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of several states, including Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra, who has already prepared a blueprint for commemorations.”

These proposed programs aim not only to honor Sikh history, but also to spread awareness about its teachings, courage, and contributions to India’s cultural fabric. The initiative is expected to include religious congregations, cultural performances, academic seminars, exhibitions, and community outreach activities.