Tarn Taran – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has strongly condemned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of a grave religious misconduct by organizing a song and dance event in Srinagar to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.In a press release, SAD Vice President and former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura termed the incident an act that has “sprinkled salt on the wounds of the Sikh community.” He asserted that this was not mere negligence but “living proof of the government’s gross ignorance and insensitivity” towards Sikh history and labeled the administration’s mindset “ahistorical” and “anti-Sikh.”
Brahmpura stated it was the greatest tragedy that such an event was held in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, for whose Hindu Pandits the ninth Sikh Guru, revered as ‘Hind di Chadar’ (Shield of India), made the ultimate sacrifice.
He posed a direct question to the Chief Minister: “Are Bhagwant Mann and his government unaware of the martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus? Are they so ignorant that they do not know the Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice is directly related to the plea of the Kashmiri Pandits? To commit such an act on the very land with which the saga of the Guru’s martyrdom is associated is an unpardonable crime.”
The SAD leader rejected any attempt to justify the event as a ‘joint program,’ calling such explanations shameful and asserting that they deepen the AAP government’s culpability.
Brahmpura demanded that the government identify the officials who approved the event at such a sensitive location and clarify what steps were taken to ensure adherence to the Maryada (Sikh code of conduct). He commended the Sri Akal Takht Sahib for taking strong notice of the matter, stating the supreme temporal seat has amplified the voice of the community.
The SAD has demanded an immediate public apology from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the dismissal of officials involved, including Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains, and a high-level judicial inquiry into the controversy.
“This issue is no longer just about a program but has become a symbol of the Punjab government’s anti-Sikh and ahistorical mindset,” Brahmpura declared. He affirmed that the Shiromani Akali Dal would hold the government accountable for the “insult to the Guru Sahib” and would not rest until justice is served