Kejriwal Pays Tribute to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on Martyrdom Day
Synopsis
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on 25 June 2026 paid tribute to 18th-century Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on his martyrdom day, honouring his resistance against Mughal tyranny and calling his spirit an enduring inspiration for humanity.
Key Takeaways
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal posted a tribute in Punjabi on 25 June 2026 marking the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur .
Banda Singh Bahadur was appointed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 to lead Khalsa forces against Mughal rule in Punjab.
He briefly established a Sikh administrative order in parts of Punjab before being captured and executed in 1716 .
Kejriwal described Banda Singh Bahadur's spirit of fighting injustice as a source of inspiration 'as long as the world endures.' The tribute is part of a broader pattern of political leaders across parties marking Sikh martyrdom anniversaries, particularly significant given AAP's presence in Delhi and Punjab .
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, 25 June 2026, paid tribute to the 18th-century Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, honouring his martyrdom and calling his spirit of resistance an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.
Context
Posting in Punjabi on X, Kejriwal wrote: 'ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਹਕੂਮਤਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਪੁੱਟਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਯੋਧੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਬੰਦਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਲਾਸਾਨੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਨਮਨ' ['Countless salutations to the unparalleled martyrdom of the great Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who uprooted the foundations of tyrannical regimes']. He added that Banda Singh Bahadur's spirit of raising his voice against injustice and oppression 'will remain a source of inspiration for us as long as the world endures.'
The tribute comes on a day when political leaders across Punjab and Delhi traditionally mark observances linked to the Sikh martyrdom calendar, with statements from state and national figures acknowledging community heritage and the legacy of resistance to historical injustice.
Policy Backdrop
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a warrior-commander appointed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 to lead Khalsa forces against Mughal oppression in Punjab. He went on to briefly establish a Sikh administrative order in parts of the region — one of the earliest experiments in Sikh governance — before being captured by Mughal forces and executed in 1716.
His campaigns are remembered for dismantling feudal structures and delivering land to tillers in the territories he controlled. His martyrdom, endured without renouncing his faith, has made him a towering figure in Sikh history and collective memory.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute is directed at the Sikh community, which holds Banda Singh Bahadur in the highest reverence. For AAP, which governs in Delhi and has a significant electoral presence in Punjab, such commemorations are part of a consistent pattern of engaging with Sikh heritage and sentiment.
Political leaders across party lines — from the ruling dispensation in Punjab to national parties — routinely issue statements on dates associated with Sikh warriors and martyrs. Kejriwal's post fits within this broader practice while reinforcing AAP's identity as a party attentive to Punjabi and Sikh cultural milestones.
What's Next
Annual observances of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's martyrdom typically see events at historical sites across Punjab and Delhi, including gurudwaras and memorials associated with his legacy. Statements from state governments, religious bodies such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and national political figures are expected to follow through the day, reflecting the continued resonance of his memory in contemporary Indian public life.
Point of View
A key constituency for AAP in both Delhi and Punjab. By invoking Banda Singh Bahadur's legacy of dismantling 'tyrannical regimes,' the post draws on a historical vocabulary of resistance that resonates deeply in Punjabi public discourse. Such commemorations, while ceremonial in form, serve a dual function: reinforcing AAP's identity as a party rooted in Punjabi and Sikh heritage while keeping the party visible on dates that matter to the community. The consistency of these tributes across the political spectrum also reflects how martyrdom anniversaries have become institutionalised moments of competitive reverence in Indian electoral politics.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Baba Banda Singh Bahadur?
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was an early 18th-century Sikh warrior appointed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708 to lead Khalsa forces against Mughal oppression in Punjab. He briefly established a Sikh administrative order in the region before being captured and executed by Mughal forces in 1716.
Why did Arvind Kejriwal pay tribute to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur?
Kejriwal posted the tribute on 25 June 2026 to mark the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, honouring his legacy of resistance against tyranny and calling his spirit an enduring source of inspiration.
What did Kejriwal say about Baba Banda Singh Bahadur?
Kejriwal offered 'countless salutations' to Banda Singh Bahadur's 'unparalleled martyrdom' and said his spirit of raising his voice against injustice and oppression will remain an inspiration 'as long as the world endures.'
When was Baba Banda Singh Bahadur executed?
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was captured by Mughal forces and executed in 1716, after leading a sustained campaign against Mughal rule in Punjab for several years.
Why is Baba Banda Singh Bahadur important to the Sikh community?
Banda Singh Bahadur is revered in Sikh tradition for his military campaigns against Mughal oppression, his brief establishment of a Sikh administrative order in Punjab, and his steadfast martyrdom without renouncing his faith — making him one of the most celebrated figures in Sikh history.
