The Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the Management Committee of Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Bidar, organised a one-day National Seminar on ‘Martyrdom in Sikh Tradition and Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’ at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, Karnataka, on 26 July 2026. The seminar was organised as part of the year-long nationwide commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, in the presence of eminent scholars, academicians, writers, students and other distinguished guests. The seminar provided a platform for scholarly deliberations on the philosophy, spiritual thought and enduring legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with particular focus on the significance of his martyrdom in the Sikh tradition and its relevance in contemporary times.
The programme also featured Gurbani Kirtan by a Ragi Jatha, facilitated by the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur, under the Ministry of Culture, creating an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual reflection.
The inaugural session commenced with the welcome address by Shri Varun Gulati, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, followed by introductory remarks by Shri Rawail Singh, Convener, Punjabi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. Eminent Punjabi writer Shri Manmohan delivered the keynote address. Shri Balbir Singh, Chairman, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Management Committee, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour, while Smt. Kumud Sharma, Vice President, Sahitya Akademi, delivered the presidential address. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Smt. Reshma Kaur, Vice Chairman, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Management Committee.
The first academic session was chaired by Prof. Ramanpreet Kaur, Professor of Punjabi, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. The session featured scholarly presentations on various aspects of the life, philosophy and martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Shri Manjinder Singh presented a paper on 'Cosmological Discourse of the Bani and the Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji', while Shri Harvinder Singh spoke on 'Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Gurmukhi and Assamese Sources'. Shri Nitu presented a paper titled 'Srisht Ki Chadar: Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji'.
The second academic session was chaired by Shri Gurpal Singh Sandhu, Director, Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The session examined the philosophical, historical and contemporary dimensions of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Shri Tajinder Singh presented a paper on 'A Philosophical Analysis of the Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji', while Shri Baljit Singh delivered a presentation on 'Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: A Unique Combination of Sword and Sacrifice'. Shri Amanpreet Kour presented a paper on 'The Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Human Rights Perspectives and Its Significance in the Contemporary Era'.
The seminar highlighted the enduring relevance of the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his invaluable contribution to the ideals of human dignity, freedom of conscience and religious liberty. The deliberations also underscored the importance of understanding his martyrdom through the theological and philosophical framework of his Gurbani and its continuing relevance in contemporary society.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri R.D. Singh, Director, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar.
The seminar served as an important platform for scholars, academicians and students to reflect on the rich intellectual and spiritual legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and to promote wider public understanding of his unparalleled sacrifice. It formed part of the Ministry of Culture's year-long nationwide commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
