The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has notified thr the Union Ministry of Education, questioning whether schools give Veer Baal Diwas enough attention. The move gets the Bal veer Diwas under the lens as to how institutions mark the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas on December 26.
Dated November 13, the notice stems from a complaint by Sanjeev Newar of the Seva Nyay Utthan Foundation. Schools across the country hold programmes every year for Children’s Day, which falls on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, yet the courage and sacrifice of the four sons of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh get far less attention.
A bench led by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy has 14 days from receiving the notice to file a detailed Action Taken Report.
The Commission wants the Ministry to state whether any official notification, order or circular names November 14 as Children’s Day. It has also asked for details of the special educational and awareness programmes held in schools on December 26, so that students understand the historical significance of Veer Baal Diwas.
What Is Veer Baal Diwas and Why Is It Observed?
Every year on December 26, Veer Baal Diwas remembers the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the two younger sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. At Sirhind in 1705, the brothers, aged nine and six, were executed after they refused to give up their faith.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the observance on January 9, 2022, the day of Guru Gobind Singh’s Prakash Purab. The first national Veer Baal Diwas followed on December 26, 2022, with the aim of introducing children and citizens to the Sahibzadas’ courage and sacrifice.
Have Schools Been Asked to Observe Veer Baal Diwas?
There is precedent for activity at the school level. In 2022, the Centre said schools and colleges would hold essay-writing competitions, quizzes and other participatory programmes on the Sahibzadas. During the 2025 observance, institutions again organised storytelling, recitation and poster-making competitions.
With its latest notice, the NHRC wants to find out whether these efforts are getting enough attention in classrooms. The Commission pointed to the part schools play in building historical awareness, constitutional values and an understanding of India’s heritage among children.
The notice does not, however, ask schools to replace Children’s Day with Veer Baal Diwas. The Ministry’s reply is awaited, and the Commission has not reached any final decision on the complaint.