DSGMC President S. Harmeet Singh Kalka Expresses Concern over Division in Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s 350th Martyrdom Commemoration Events

New Delhi/ October 16, 2025
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President S. Harmeet Singh Kalka has expressed deep concerns over attempts to divide the community’s collective observance of the 350th Martyrdom day (Shaheedi Purab) of the Ninth Guru Sahib Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
He stated that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sri Amritsar Sahib, has been organizing a series of religious programs across India since earlier this year, which will continue through November 2025. However, it is unfortunate that, S. Paramjit Singh Sarna has begun conducting separate programs in Delhi—mirroring the divisive practices that occurred when he previously headed the DSGMC—by organizing Gurpurabs on double dates and creating confusion among the Sangat.
S. Kalka highlighted that a Nagar Kirtan initiated by the SGPC from Dubri Sahib was scheduled to arrive in Delhi as part of the ongoing commemorations. Yet, S. Sarna has unilaterally started separate initiatives in Delhi without coordination or consultation with either the SGPC President or the DSGMC, disrupting the unity of the celebrations.
The DSGMC President shared that, despite advertisements being circulated for over a week regarding the Delhi leg of the Nagar Kirtan and related programs scheduled for October 24 at Gurdwara Nanak Piao Sahib and October 25 at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, no official communication, accommodation request, or coordination was received from the SGPC or event organizers until recently.
Taking initiative, S. Kalka said that he personally contacted SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, who subsequently shared details of logistical requirements and expressed appreciation for DSGMC’s willingness to cooperate.
However, S. Kalka condemned the decision to hold a key commemorative seminar titled “Guru Tegh Bahadur – Hind di Chadar” on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi—a venue known for serving alcohol and non-vegetarian food during different events. He described this as highly inappropriate for a sacred religious commemoration, urging SGPC President S. Dhami to reconsider the choice of venue immediately.
He emphasized that the DSGMC has many venues which ar suitable for religious event, including auditoriums in its schools and colleges such as Khalsa College and Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, which could host the event in a dignified and respectful setting at no cost.
S. Kalka further noted internal dissent within SGPC’s Delhi coordination, mentioning that former DSGMC President S. Manjit Singh GK had opposed the selection of the India Habitat Centre but failed to prevent it. “Mere opposition is not enough,” Kalka remarked. “It was your duty to ensure Guru Sahib’s Shaheedi Gurpurab is not observed in a venue where alcohol is consumed.”
Additionally, he expressed concern that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, a political entity with no constitutional role or a role in the SGPC has been listed as the keynote speaker, while SGPC President Dhami’s name appeared only later in the program. “Does this mean political figures now rank above the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib?” he questioned.
S. Kalka appealed once again to S. Harjinder Singh Dhami to uphold the sanctity of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s 350th Martyrdom Anniversary by relocating the seminar venue from the India Habitat Centre to a more appropriate religious or educational institution. He reiterated DSGMC’s commitment to provide full logistical and organizational support for all SGPC-led commemorations, stating, “Our objective is unity and reverence, not division. Let us ensure that the Guru’s sacred memory is honored in the spirit of humility and collective respect.”