AMRITSAR, Punjab – A significant controversy has erupted in Punjab following a viral song-and-dance video from a state government function commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The incident has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly violating the Sikh ‘maryada’ (religious code of conduct).
The Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of the Sikhs, has taken serious note of the matter, summoning Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and the director of the state language department, Jaswant Singh Zafar, to appear before five Singh Sahiban (Sikh clergy) on August 1.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Minister Bains issued an apology on X, “humbly submit[ting]” himself for the scheduled hearing. In his Punjabi post, Bains explained that the July 24 event, organized by the language department in Srinagar, was intended for “prominent intellectuals and scholars [to] shared their thoughts with the congregation about the life and martyrdom [of the guru].” He stated that singer Bir Singh was invited as “he is a devout Sikh singer” who had also sung a composition by the ninth guru, Salok Mahalla Nauvan.
Bains added, “Due to an unintentional oversight by the organisers, for whatever happened during this event, as a Sikh and a cabinet Minister, I seek forgiveness.” Stressing that he is “a true and humble Sikh,” he affirmed, “I will present myself barefoot at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and be bound to obey every command.”
Earlier, Bir Singh, the singer who performed at the event, had already offered an apology to the Jathedar and posted a video with a detailed clarification. He attributed the mistake to his management, claiming they “not [did not] giv[e] me with accurate information about the programme.” He stated that he went directly to the stage and, due to his focus on the audience, “didn’t see the banner behind the stage.” He acknowledged this as his mistake and stated that upon realizing the program’s solemn nature, they immediately apologized and recited Salok Mahalla Nauvan.
The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, had previously criticized that neither Minister Bains nor director Zafar had clarified their position “nor issued any apology for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.” He highlighted that it was “for the first time that an event commemorating the martyrdom centenary of a guru began with songs, dance, and entertainment, something entirely unacceptable.”
This controversy also intertwines with an ongoing dispute between the Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the elected religious body of the Sikhs. The SGPC has objected to the state government organizing separate events to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in November, arguing against government “interference” in religious matters. However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has questioned whether the SGPC holds a “copyright” over holding such religious events.