The Yogi Adityanath administration in Uttar Pradesh has thrown a wrench into a decades-old tradition by declaring November 25, 2025 as a public holiday to mark the 350th anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom — even though the historical event occurred on November 24, 1675. The decision, announced without warning, has left schools, government offices, and businesses across India scrambling. Why? Because the rest of the country, from Delhi to Punjab, has always observed the day on the 24th. And now, for the first time, two neighboring states may be on different schedules for the same sacred observance.
Why November 24? The Historical Weight
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was publicly beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi on November 24, 1675, under the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His crime? Refusing to convert to Islam — and, more importantly, standing up for the right of others to practice their faith. He famously defended Kashmiri Pandits who were being forced to convert, sacrificing his life so they could keep theirs. His execution wasn’t just a political act; it was a theological statement. His closest disciples suffered horrific deaths: Bhai Mati Das was sawn in half, Bhai Sati Das was wrapped in cotton and burned alive, Bhai Dayala was boiled in a cauldron. The brutality was meant to terrify. Instead, it cemented his legacy.
Today, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi stands exactly where he was beheaded. Every November 24, thousands gather there in silence. In Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, another Gurudwara Sis Ganj marks where his head — secretly carried away by his disciple Bhai Jaita — was cremated. These are not just buildings. They’re living memorials. And for 350 years, the date has never changed.
The UP Shift: Convenience or Controversy?
Here’s the twist: Uttar Pradesh isn’t disputing the history. Their official order acknowledges November 24 as the actual day of martyrdom. But they’ve declared November 25, 2025, as the official holiday. Why? A government source told reporters it’s for "administrative convenience" — a way to avoid a holiday falling on a Thursday, which would disrupt work schedules and create a fragmented weekend. It’s the same logic that sometimes moves Diwali or Eid holidays in other states. But this isn’t a festival. This is a martyr’s death.
"It’s not about the date," said Dr. Harpreet Kaur, a Sikh historian at Panjab University. "It’s about respect. When you move the day, even by one, you’re subtly saying the exactness of history doesn’t matter. For a community that remembers every detail of their martyrs — the names, the methods, the locations — this feels like erasure by bureaucracy."
RedBus India, which tracks religious holidays for travelers, confirms that Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom is listed for November 24, 2025. So are most state education departments — except Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab’s Firestorm: Politics Meets Piety
Enter Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab. On November 21, 2024, while distributing ₹71 crore in development cheques for 142 villages and inaugurating ₹7.57 crore in infrastructure in Dhuri, Mann didn’t just address the holiday confusion — he ignited a political firestorm.
"The Akalis have frequently used religion as a shield to hide political failures," he said, directly targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). "It is now hypocritical for them to question the government's devotion when they had already fallen in public esteem."
Mann accused the SGPC of misusing the "golak" — the voluntary offerings made by Sikhs for religious upkeep — to fund political campaigns. "If they summon me," he warned, "I will expose everything to the public with every detail."
His remarks were explosive. The SGPC, which manages Sikh holy sites across India, has long been seen as the guardian of Sikh religious tradition. But under Mann’s government, the state has taken direct control of several gurdwaras — a move the Akalis call unconstitutional. This holiday dispute? It’s not about calendars. It’s about power.
Who’s Affected? Schools, Businesses, and Devotees
Practical fallout is already mounting. In Varanasi, a school principal told Times Now News she’d received conflicting instructions — one from the state education department saying November 25, another from the central Sikh community body saying November 24. "We’re caught between the state and the saints," she said. "What do we tell the children?"
Private businesses are also unsure. Will banks close? Will transport services run? Will inter-state workers be penalized for taking the wrong day off? The Uttar Pradesh government has not clarified whether the holiday applies to all sectors or only state-run institutions. Meanwhile, in Delhi and Punjab, preparations for November 24 are already underway — processions planned, langars arranged, prayers scheduled.
What Comes Next?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet to issue a national guideline. Historically, religious holidays are left to state discretion — but this is the first time a state has openly diverged from the universally accepted date for a Sikh martyrdom. Experts say legal challenges are likely. Sikh groups may petition the courts, arguing that altering the date violates the right to religious observance under Article 25 of the Constitution.
"This isn’t just about a day off," said Professor Amrit Kaur, a constitutional scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University. "It’s about who gets to define sacred time. If the state can move the date of a martyr’s death for convenience, what’s next? Moving the date of Bhagat Singh’s hanging? Or the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?"
For now, the Sikh community waits. Devotees in Chandni Chowk will still gather on the 24th. The candles will still be lit. The hymns will still be sung. But in Uttar Pradesh, the government office doors will remain shut a day later — a quiet, bureaucratic echo of a sacrifice made centuries ago to protect the very idea of religious freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there confusion over the date of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom in 2025?
The historical martyrdom occurred on November 24, 1675, and has been observed on that date for 350 years. However, the Uttar Pradesh government declared November 25, 2025, as the official public holiday for "administrative convenience," citing the need to avoid a mid-week observance. This breaks from tradition and creates inconsistency across states, as Punjab, Delhi, and most others continue to observe the day on the 24th.
What is the significance of Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi?
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi marks the exact location where Guru Tegh Bahadur was publicly beheaded by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb on November 24, 1675. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism and draws tens of thousands of pilgrims annually on Shaheedi Diwas. The gurdwara stands as a physical testament to his sacrifice for religious freedom and is the focal point of traditional commemorations.
How is Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann involved in this controversy?
On November 21, 2024, Mann criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC for allegedly politicizing religion, accusing them of misusing religious funds for political gain. While not directly addressing the date dispute, his comments intensified the political tension around the observance, framing the holiday as a test of political sincerity — and further polarizing the debate between state governance and religious authority.
Will other states follow Uttar Pradesh’s lead and shift the holiday?
As of now, no other state has announced a change. Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh all plan to observe the holiday on November 24, 2025. The Ministry of Home Affairs has not issued a unified directive, leaving states to decide independently. A legal challenge is possible if the discrepancy causes disruption to inter-state religious observances or violates constitutional rights to religious practice.
What did Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrifice his life for?
Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed for refusing to convert to Islam and for defending the right of Kashmiri Pandits to practice Hinduism without coercion. He chose death over compromising his faith — and, more significantly, over allowing others to be forced into religious conversion. His martyrdom became a defining moment in Sikh history, establishing the principle that protecting the religious freedom of all, regardless of faith, is a sacred duty.
Is there a legal basis to challenge Uttar Pradesh’s decision?
Yes. Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freely practice and propagate religion. If the state’s decision to shift the date undermines the ability of Sikhs to observe the martyrdom on the historically recognized day — especially when it’s a fixed, non-negotiable date in their faith — it could be challenged in court as an infringement on religious autonomy. Legal experts say precedent exists in similar cases involving religious calendar rights.