Indian Bureaucracy Network, November 12, 2025 | The Punjab Government has appointed six IAS officers on special duty to coordinate the events being organised across the state to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The commemoration holds substantial cultural and administrative importance for the Punjab Government and is being directly supervised by the Chief Secretary, reflecting the event’s high policy priority within the state’s governance framework. Beyond its spiritual significance, the anniversary has evolved into a multidimensional public initiative aimed at cultural preservation, tourism development, and community outreach.
Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom is considered as a defining moment in India’s history of faith and human rights, serves as the thematic core of the commemorations. The government’s approach integrates heritage conservation with infrastructural and economic planning, aligning with broader policy objectives to promote Punjab as a centre of religious and heritage tourism.
The large-scale celebrations, expected to attract lakhs of devotees and visitors, also carry political weight — positioning the state administration as an active custodian of Sikh identity and cultural continuity. In the current political context, the coordination of these events under top-level bureaucratic oversight underscores an attempt to institutionalize cultural governance as an instrument of social cohesion and state legitimacy.
The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has reportedly allocated ₹70–80 crore for the series of programmes, infrastructure upgrades, and heritage site restoration linked to the event. The spending is aimed at boosting religious tourism and regional economic activity, particularly around Sri Anandpur Sahib and other related historical sites.
Observers note that the commemoration also carries political significance in Punjab’s landscape. The government’s active involvement in organising the anniversary is about putting in efforts to reinforce cultural unity and connect with the Sikh community ahead of the next electoral cycle, while projecting the state as a custodian of Sikh heritage and interfaith harmony.
The details of the deputed officers are –
- Smt Kanwal Preet Brar IAS (Punjab ), she is presently awaiting her posting orders.
- Shri Arvind Pal Singh Sandhu IAS (Punjab ), he is presently the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Punjab.
- Shri Puneet Goyal IAS (Punjab ), he is presently awaiting his posting orders.
- Shri Sandeep Hans IAS (Punjab ), he is presently Special Secretary Food Processing, with additional charge of Mission Director, Food Processing, Punjab.
- Smt Syed Sehrish Asgar IAS (Punjab ), she is presently on leave and has been appointed on special duty for 350th Martyrdom Anniversary, Punjab.
- Shri Paramvir Singh IAS (Punjab), he is presently awaiting his posting orders.
All the officers have been instructed to report to the Administrative Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. They will oversee planning, execution, and inter-departmental coordination to ensure the smooth and dignified conduct of commemorative programmes throughout the state.
A review meeting has been scheduled for November 14, 2025, at 3:00 PM, at the Virasat-e-Khalsa Auditorium, Sri Anandpur Sahib, which will be chaired by the .
All designated officers have been directed to attend.