Veer Bal Diwas is celebrated on 26th December every year to honor the brave sacrifice of Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh, the sahibzade of the tenth Sikh guru Govind Singh ji. This year’s event includes a march-past by the youngsters in the capital city of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also joined the Veer Bal Diwas program at Bharat Mandapam to respect the legacy and martyrdom of sahibzade. 

Celebration

To raise awareness and educate the citizens, especially young students about the amplifying courage of sikh bravehearts, the Union Government has organized several programs nationwide. In this awareness program, the government digitally showcases the story of Sahibzades, which will be telecasted in schools and institutions all over the country. 

A movie about ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ will also be shown nationwide, offering a graphic account of the historic occasion. Through the MYBharat and MyGov portals, several online competitions, including interactive quizzes, will be held to further engage the public.

Background

As ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, December 26 has special meaning because it commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s Prakash Purab on January 9, 2022. On that day, Prime Minister Modi declared that December 26 would be observed as a day to remember the martyrdom of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

History

Anandpur Sahib was the birthplace of Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh Ji, the youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji. The Morinda officials, Jani Khan and Mani Khan Ranghar took Baba Zorawar Singh ji into custody on the morning of December 7, 1705, the day of the historic battle of Chamkaur, along with Baba Fateh Singh ji and their grandmother. on the following day, they were sent to Sirhind and placed in the Fort’s Cold Tower (Thanda Burj). Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji were presented before Nawab Wazir Khan, the faujdaar, on December 9, 1705. Even after threatening to kill them, they didn’t back down.

They were sealed alive in a wall on December 11, 1705. The masonry around their vulnerable bodies gave way at chest height. Once more, the Sahibzadas were ordered to spend the night in the Cold Tower. Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji were sealed alive in a wall and martyred the following day, December 12, 1705.

Four Sikh shrines now mark the location of the tragic events, which is near the old town of Sirhind and has since been named Fatehgarh Sahib. Every year, from December 25 to 28, this place hosts a religious fair in remembrance of the martyrs.