DHUBRI, Nov 4 - In a bid to comply with the Covid-19 protocols and to avoid large gatherings in Dhubri town, the Sikh Pratinidhi Board of Eastern Zone has decided to observe this year�s Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Teg Bahadur on a low-key basis. This year�s Shaheedi Diwas of the 9th Sikh Guru will be observed from December 17 to 19, but in a modest way. Unlike in previous years, the board has decided to avoid any religious procession on the occasion and will not hold the mela that is arranged every year.
Every year more than 30,000 people from all over the country as well as abroad throng the Dhubri Sahib Gurudwara to participate in the Shaheedi Diwas. �There will not be more than 1,000 to 1,500 people in the Gurudwara to commemorate the occasion�, said Kulwant Singh, general secretary of Sikh Pratinidhi Board, Eastern Zone.
Singh added that this year they are not allowing any devotees from outside Assam to participate in the 345th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. The organisers, it may be mentioned, will not be sending out any invitations for the event.
He also added, �Routine programmes like Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib, Kirtan Darbar, Guru Ka Langar and mandatory rituals will be performed, but there will be no Nagar Kirtan, where thousands of people participate and other religious processions.�