The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has strongly opposed the use of the term “Bal Veer” for the Sahibzade—Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji—stating that the term is inappropriate and fails to reflect their true spiritual, historical, and religious significance.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said the Sahibzade were not merely brave children, but spiritually enlightened martyrs who consciously chose to sacrifice their lives to uphold Sikh principles of faith, justice, and righteousness.
“The Sahibzade were fully aware of the consequences of their stand and embraced martyrdom with unwavering faith,” Chahal said. “Referring to them as ‘Bal Veer’ weakens the depth of their sacrifice and oversimplifies one of the most profound chapters in Sikh history.”
In a statement issued on Monday, NAPA emphasized that Sikh tradition has long used respectful and historically accurate terms such as Sahibzade, Shaheedi Sahibzade, and Chhote Sahibzade to honor their martyrdom. Deviating from this established terminology, the association said, risks diluting the spiritual message and historical truth associated with their sacrifice.
NAPA stressed that accurate and respectful language is essential, particularly for educating younger generations about Sikh history and values. The association urged organizations, educational institutions, and public bodies to avoid using the term “Bal Veer” and instead adopt terminology rooted in Sikh tradition and historical context.
In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26 would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzade Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.
While acknowledging the intent to honor the Sahibzade, NAPA reiterated that remembrance must be done with language that fully respects their spiritual stature and conscious sacrifice.
About NAPA
The North American Punjabi Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Punjabi heritage, culture, language, and human rights issues across North America.