Kalka ask SGPC to not start practice of engaging in separate events, appeals for collective commemoration of martyrdom day
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 17,2025
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Harmeet Singh Kalka called upon all Sikh institutions and sampardays to collectively commemorate 350 th martyrdom day of Ninth Master Sri Guru Tegh bahadur Sahib Ji.
Addressing a press conference on July 16 at DSGMC head quarters at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib, New Delhi,Kalka informed that preparations are going on to commemorate the 350 th martyrdom day with a profound spiritual enthusiasm, involving Sikh institutions, children, Singh Sabhas, Istri Sabhas and NGOs.
“I had personally spoken to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami and invited him to the meeting and he had sent his representative a senior very leader and former General Secretary of SGPC Gurcharan Singh Grewal. The meeting was held in a very conducive environment,” informed Kalka.
Kalka further said that it was decided in the meeting that Nagar Kirtan (Religious Procession) will start from Anandpur Sahib, Punjab where Kashmiri Pandits have approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib to save them from tyrannical Mughal rulers of those times who were forcing Pandits to convert to Islam.
“I want to make it very clear that centre of Ninth Guru’s martyrdom was at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib at Chandi Chownk, New Delhi and cremation was held at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib, so it is responsibly of DSGMC to commemorate the centenary,” said Kalka.
He adds that it has been a practice in the past centre of a particular centenary is planned by the Gurdwara body of that area and rest of the Sikh institutions and Gurdwara bodies used to stand in support.
“In the meeting, it was decided that SGPC will take out Nagar Kirtan in Punjab, and same Nagar kirtan will be taken forward in Haryana by Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and on its entry in Delhi DSGMC will make all arrangements”, informed Kalka.
Now SGPC has started new practice, of separate commemorative events beginning before November 25, when the martyrdom day falls. “I appeal to SGPC to not indulge in divisive practices at the behest of former DSGMC President Paramjit Singh Sarna,” said Kalka.
Sarna these days is guiding SGPC and is opposing DSGMC. When he was DSGMC President for 12 years he used to oppose SGPC, said Kalka asking SGPC to take decisions independent of Sarna.
Answering a query in the press conference, Harmeet Singh Kalka said that the programs such as Istri santsang, events by Singh Sabha Gurdwaras , Children workshops , Seminars, and Sarav Dharam Sammellans planned by DSGMC will have collective participation of all the Sikhs institutions in which Government of India and Delhi Government will play an active role.
