New Delhi, December 26, 2025:
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday said that Veer Bal Diwas is not merely a ceremonial remembrance but a powerful reaffirmation of India’s civilizational conscience that had long been ignored or deliberately sidelined. Addressing a large gathering at Thyagraj Stadium on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, Sood underlined that the bravery, sacrifice and martyrdom of the Sahibzadas represent the soul of India itself—an आत्मा rooted in truth, righteousness and the courage to stand against injustice.
Sood said the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas cannot be confined to the legacy of any one community, as it reflects values that define the moral foundation of the nation. He noted that this tradition of courage and ethical strength flows directly from the vision of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, where faith, nationhood and morality move together toward a common purpose. According to him, Veer Bal Diwas serves as a reminder that India’s spiritual and cultural history is inseparable from its idea of nation-building.
Questioning the approach adopted in the decades following Independence, the Education Minister asked why generations of Indian youth were kept distanced from such heroic narratives. He said that ideals such as courage, sacrifice and standing for dharma were often reduced to marginal references in the education system. Sood asserted that this was not an accidental omission but the result of what he described as ideological slavery shaped by a Macaulay mindset, which sought to detach Indians from their historical roots and reduce society to a hollow neutrality. The sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, he said, was inconvenient for such thinking because it inspired faith, selflessness and moral courage—qualities that entrenched power structures have often been uncomfortable acknowledging.
Highlighting the significance of the present-day observance of Veer Bal Diwas, Sood said the scale and seriousness of the commemoration reflected a decisive shift away from colonial-era perspectives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled that on January 9, 2022, the Prime Minister declared December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Prakash Purab. Sood said this declaration was not symbolic but an ideological assertion that India would now draw strength from its history instead of distancing itself from it.
He added that initiatives such as the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor and the safe return of sacred Sikh relics to India demonstrate a consistent vision rooted in respect, responsibility and cultural continuity. According to him, these decisions reflect a broader commitment to honoring India’s spiritual heritage in a meaningful and institutional manner.
Sood further said that major commemorations such as the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji were not political exercises but acts of national responsibility. These observances, he said, were expressions of duty toward the Gurus, society and the country, and Veer Bal Diwas reinforces that same sense of obligation.
Speaking about governance in Delhi, Sood said that the Delhi Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, formed after a gap of 27 years, believes that respect must be reflected not just in words but in policy. He said that over the past ten months, the government has worked sensitively and institutionally with all communities, ensuring that inclusivity and mutual respect remain central to governance.
Concluding his address, Sood said that Veer Bal Diwas should be seen not merely as an annual event but as a medium of education. He emphasized that children in Delhi’s schools are being taught that history is shaped not only by dates and events, but by values such as courage, justice and civic responsibility. Learning from the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, he said, instills a deeper sense of moral clarity and national duty among students. Calling this the essence of true education and nation-building, Sood expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for supporting and inspiring this initiative.
