Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Paramjit Singh Sarna has supported the demand to rename Veer Bal Diwas as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas. Sarna, president of the party’s Delhi unit, said the demand rests on historical clarity and moral reasoning.
He recalled that in 2019 the Shiromani Akali Dal supported national recognition of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sahibzadas. The party had then urged replacing Children’s Day with a day to honour their sacrifice. Sarna said the party’s stand has remained consistent over the years.
Sarna rejected claims that the demand carries political motives. He said remembering the Sahibzadas does not belong to any single party or government. According to him, the issue concerns how history is remembered and explained to future generations.
He argued that the term “Veer Bal,” though emotional, remains too broad. It risks diluting the specific historical event of martyrdom. Sarna stressed that Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh were martyred for refusing to abandon their faith. He said the proposed name reflects this truth directly.
Responding to criticism about revisiting settled decisions, Sarna said memorials express collective memory, not administrative routine. He added that correct language strengthens public understanding of Sikh history and honours sacrifice with responsibility.
