Veer Bal Diwas: Delhi Government Pays Solemn Tribute to the Martyrdom and Indomitable Courage of the Sahibzadas

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, today participated in the programme organised at Thyagaraj Stadium on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas and paid homage to the unparalleled courage, unwavering faith and supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Chief Minister said that Veer Bal Diwas is not merely a day of remembrance, but a collective resolve to instil the values of courage, self-respect, patriotism and moral fortitude in the coming generations.

The special event was attended by Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Shri Ashish Sood, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, senior officials, school students and a large number of citizens. A special booklet on the Sahibzadas and a commemorative postal cover, released in collaboration with the Department of Posts, were unveiled on the occasion. The programme also featured Gatka performances by school students, a 270-degree projection based on Veer Bal Diwas, screening of student-created reels, and stirring patriotic and valour-filled performances by the Shillong Chamber Choir.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister bowed in reverence at the feet of the Sahibzadas and said that India has, for centuries, been a land of bravery, sacrifice and valour. She stated that the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji demonstrated such extraordinary courage, firm faith and devotion to dharma at a very young age that their example stands unparalleled in world history. 

She added that at an age when children are usually engaged in play and recreation, the Sahibzadas refused to bow before fear, terror and oppression, choosing the path of sacrifice to protect their faith and values. The Chief Minister also observed that for a long time they did not receive the recognition and honour they truly deserved. However, the declaration of 26 December as Veer Bal Diwas by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a historic and far-sighted initiative, enabling the younger generation to draw inspiration from their true heroes.

The Chief Minister said that the future of any nation depends upon the courage, self-confidence and moral strength of its youth. With this vision, the Delhi Government is connecting young citizens to India’s glorious past through initiatives in education, culture and history, so that they may draw inspiration from the ideals of the Sahibzadas and grow into fearless, responsible and nation-centric citizens.

Veer Bal Diwas Celebrated on a Grand Scale Across Delhi Through Multiple Programmes

On the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas 2025, the Delhi Government organised a wide range of activities at national, school and college levels, aimed at familiarising students and citizens with the unparalleled sacrifice, valour and devotion of the Sahibzadas. In government, aided and private schools, as well as higher educational institutions, activities such as drawing, painting, sports events, storytelling, essay writing, poetry, debates and digital presentations were organised. Themes included the role of children in nation-building, tales of valour, bravery and a developed India. At the college and university level, debates, knowledge-based activities, slogan writing, rallies, group discussions and fitness programmes were conducted. Selected schools also undertook professional documentation of reel-making and story-writing activities, along with special podcasts featuring interactions with students in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, presenting the inspiring life stories and sacrifices of the Sahibzadas in an impactful manner.

Laser and Light Show Organised at Purana Qila

On the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, a laser and light show was organised at Purana Qila, bringing the heroic saga of the Sahibzadas to life through an impressive combination of light and sound. The Chief Minister said that such presentations serve as a powerful medium to convey the golden chapters of history to the younger generation in an emotionally engaging and effective manner. She added that the Delhi Government aims to ensure widespread student participation through such programmes, strengthen national pride and patriotism, foster moral courage and civic values, and present the unparalleled sacrifices of the Sahibzadas in a memorable and meaningful way.

This Is the Saga of India’s Soul: Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood

Delhi’s Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood said that Veer Bal Diwas is not merely a day of remembrance; it is a public acknowledgement of India’s consciousness that was ignored or deliberately marginalised for a long time. The valour, martyrdom and courage of the Sahibzadas are not the story of any one community; they are the saga of India’s soul the soul that knows how to stand with truth and refuses to compromise with injustice. He said this tradition connects us to the vision of the revered Guru Gobind Singh Ji, where nation, faith and morality do not move in different directions, but advance together towards a common purpose.

Shri Sood questioned why, for decades after Independence, the youth of the country were deprived of this heroic legacy, and why the education system was either diluted or relegated to footnotes the tradition of standing up for courage, sacrifice and faith. He described this not as an oversight, but as ideological subjugation of the Macaulayan mindset that sought to disconnect India from its ancestors and create a rootless society. He said the valour and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas were uncomfortable for such thinking because they taught renunciation, faith and the courage to stand against injustice. 

He added that the grand observance of Veer Bal Diwas today is proof that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has emerged from that Macaulayan mentality. He recalled that on 9 January 2022, on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Prakash Parv, the Hon’ble Prime Minister declared 26 December as Veer Bal Diwas. He said this was not merely a symbolic decision, but an ideological declaration that India would now move forward by drawing strength from its history rather than fearing it. From the Kartarpur Corridor to the safe return of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he said, these decisions are part of a broader vision grounded in respect and a sense of duty.

This Martyrdom Will Be Remembered for Centuries: Environment Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa

Environment Minister Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the decision by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to accord national recognition to Veer Bal Diwas is a historic step that will guide future generations in the right direction. The martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, he said, stands as a beacon of light that connects the children and youth of the country with the values of courage, sacrifice and protection of faith. He added that it reflects the Prime Minister’s far-sighted vision to ensure that this glorious history reaches every child across India from Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir and the southern states.

Shri Sirsa said that the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s family constitute an immortal chapter in the protection of India’s soul and values, to be remembered for centuries. From Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to all four Sahibzadas, the entire family chose to sacrifice their lives for the protection of faith and humanity rather than bow before oppression. The martyrdom embraced by Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh Ji at the tender ages of seven and nine, he said, remains unparalleled in history and continues to provide moral strength to modern India.

He added that Veer Bal Diwas is an integral part of the nation-building endeavour. The observance of this day across millions of schools, colleges and public spaces ensures that the story of their supreme sacrifice reaches every child and citizen. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, he said, the Delhi Government is advancing this sacred mission with full commitment whether through the observance of Veer Bal Diwas or the dignified and grand programmes organised to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji continuously striving to take the great legacy of the Sikh Gurus and the Sahibzadas to the masses.