Amritsar, July 26 -- An event organised by the Punjab language department to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in Srinagar on Thursday has drawn sharp criticism from Akal Takht, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and various Sikh bodies who slammed 'the singing and dancing' on the occasion. A video of the event, which is now doing the rounds of social media, purportedly shows singer Bir Singh performing on stage while members of the audience dance along. The singer later tendered an apology. This comes in the backdrop of SGPC objecting to the state government holding separate official events to mark the martyrdom day in November. The SGPC had asked the state government not to 'interfere' in religious matters. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann had questioned the objection and asked whether the gurdwara body has a 'copyright' over holding such events. On Friday, both the acting jathedar of Akal Takht and SGPC, in statements, said that the event "has deeply hurt the Sikh sentiments." Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, addressing the media, said the concerns raised earlier by Sikh institutions have been validated. "Martyrdom has a deeply sacred place in Sikhism, and the Punjab government's conduct during this programme violated gurmat discipline and contradicted the guru's ideology and philosophy. Complaints have been received at Sri Akal Takht Sahib from Sikh communities worldwide against cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains, the director of the language department, and singer Bir Singh for organising this event and their involvement," he said. In a statement, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the event went against the sanctity of the Guru's supreme sacrifice and was a direct affront to Sikh religious values. "Any event organised to mark this centenary must align with Sikh traditions, reverence, restraint, and the spirit of gurbani. By turning this solemn occasion into an entertainment affair, the language department of Punjab has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community," he said. "This is why the SGPC has always maintained that Sikh centenary events and festivals must be organised by Sikh institutions, not governments, as official departments lack the sensitivity to follow the Sikh code of conduct," he said. responsibilities for such events. He also sought a public apology from the Punjab government and clear guidelines on preventing such occurrences in the future. Following the flak, singer Bir Singh reached Akal Takht and met the jathedar to tender an apology. He offered an apology at Akal Takht Sahib. Jathedar Gargaj said that his apology would be considered and discussed appropriately....