On the occasion of Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas, the Delhi government has announced a holiday on 25 November 2025. The day will mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the revered ninth Sikh Guru.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the holiday in a X(formerly Twitter) post that reads, "दिल्ली सरकार ने श्री गुरु तेग बहादुर साहिब जी की 350वीं शहीदी दिवस के पावन अवसर पर 25 नवंबर 2025 को अवकाश घोषित करने का निर्णय लिया है। गुरु साहिब के साहस, करुणा और धार्मिक स्वतंत्रता के संदेश हमें सदैव प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।
The Delhi Government has decided to declare 25 November 2025 as Holiday to commemorate the sacred occasion of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
May Guru Sahib’s timeless message of courage, compassion, and freedom of faith continue to guide and inspire us in our collective journey ahead."
The Uttar Pradesh government has also declared November 25 as Shaheedi Diwas holiday from November and will be observed in all the state government offices and schools, as per a Free Press Journal report. Earlier, the holiday was moved from 24 November to 25 November to align it with Delhi’s calendar.
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States’ delay sparks confusion over Shaheedi Diwas date
Even though schools will stay shut on this day, public transport and all the essential services will stay functional. While Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have clearly mentioned their stand, Punjab and Haryana are yet to declare their decisions on whether the Shaheedi Diwas will be observed on 24 November or 25 November. This has left families and schools confused.
Significance of the Shaheedi Diwas
Even though the Holiday is not on the government's calendar, the carries major significance. In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect religious freedom, choosing martyrdom over coercion. His sacrifice is known as one of the earliest and most powerful assertions of religious liberty in the subcontinent. He stood against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's forced conversion, and as the ninth Sikh Guru, he did not just protect the Sikh community but also the Kashmiri Pandits seeking refuge from oppression.
