Nation News,Chandigarh . Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended the gathering organized on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Kurukshetra. On this occasion, the Prime Minister said that today is a wonderful confluence of India’s heritage. He said that in the morning he was in Ayodhya, the city of Ramayana, and now he is in Kurukshetra, the city of Geeta. He said that everyone has come here today to pay tribute to Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom day. The Prime Minister expressed his respectful greetings to the saints and respected Sangat at the event.
During the event, the Prime Minister first bowed before the Guru Granth Sahib. Haryana Governor Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Union Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Gita scholar Swami Gyananand Maharat and other dignitaries were present at the event. The Prime Minister also released a coin, a commemorative stamp and a coffee table book to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Government of India is celebrating a year-long programme to honour the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Earlier, the Prime Minister also visited an exhibition on the life and legacy of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a Siropa to the Prime Minister. 350 children performed Guru Kirtan on the occasion. A sand art show depicting the life of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his supreme sacrifice was also presented.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that another remarkable coincidence occurred 5-6 years ago. On November 9, 2019, when the Supreme Court delivered its decision on the Ram Temple, he was at Dera Baba Nanak for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor. At that time, he prayed that the path to the construction of the Ram Temple be paved, that the aspirations of millions of Ram devotees be fulfilled. His prayers were answered, and the decision came in favor of the Ram Temple that very day. Now, when the Dharma Dhwaja has been hoisted in Ayodhya, he has the opportunity to seek blessings from the Sikh community.
He said that today the Panchajanya Memorial was also inaugurated on the land of Kurukshetra. Standing on this very land of Kurukshetra, Lord Shri Krishna had declared the protection of truth and justice as the greatest religion. He had said – Swadharme Nidhanam Shreyah. Meaning, even sacrificing one’s life for one’s religion on the path of truth is superior. Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji also considered the protection of truth, justice and faith as his religion, and he protected this religion by sacrificing his life. On this historic occasion, the Government of India has also issued a commemorative postage stamp and a special coin at the feet of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
He said that this sacred land of Kurukshetra is an important center of the Sikh tradition. This land is fortunate to have been visited by almost all the Gurus of the Sikh tradition during their sacred journeys. When the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, visited this sacred land, he left an imprint of his intense penance and fearless courage.
He said that personalities like Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji are rare in history. His life, his sacrifice, and his character are a great inspiration. During the era of Mughal invaders, Guru Sahib set an example of bravery. Kashmiri Hindus were being forcibly converted. Amidst this crisis, a group of victims sought Guru Sahib’s help. Shri Guru Sahib replied, “Tell Aurangzeb that if Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur accepts Islam, we will all embrace Islam.” These words reflected the uttermost fearlessness of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Subsequently, the cruel Aurangzeb ordered Guru Sahib’s imprisonment. The Mughal rulers even offered him temptations, but Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur remained steadfast, uncompromising on his faith and principles. His three companions—Bhai Dayala Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Mati Das Ji—were brutally murdered. But Guru Sahib remained steadfast, his resolve unwavering. He did not abandon the path of righteousness and sacrificed his life to protect it.
He said that today, in the same place of Guru Sahib’s sacrifice, the Sisganj Gurdwara in Delhi stands as a living site of inspiration. The shrine of Anandpur Sahib is the powerhouse of our national consciousness. The present form of India embodies the sacrifice and dedication of great men like Guru Sahib. Because of this sacrifice, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib is revered as Hind Di Chadar.
He said that over the past 11 years, our government has established these sacred traditions, establishing every celebration of the Sikh tradition as a national festival. Our government had the opportunity to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 400th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, and the 350th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji as celebrations of India’s unity and integrity.
He said that our government has also had the privilege of giving the most grand and divine form to the sacred sites associated with the Gurus. Over the past decade, there have been numerous occasions when he has had the opportunity to be a part of events related to the Guru tradition. Some time ago, when three original copies of the Guru Granth Sahib arrived in India from Afghanistan, it was a moment of pride for every citizen of the country.
The Prime Minister said that the government has strived to integrate every Guru shrine into the fabric of modern India. Whether it’s the completion of the Kartarpur Corridor, the construction of the ropeway project at Hemkund Sahib, or the expansion of the Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum at Anandpur Sahib, we have strived to accomplish all these tasks with utmost devotion, embracing the glorious tradition of the Gurus as our ideal. The Mughals crossed all limits of cruelty even with the brave Sahibzadas. The brave Sahibzadas accepted being bricked into the wall, but did not abandon their path of duty and dharma. To honor these ideals, we now celebrate Veer Bal Diwas every year on December 26th. We have also included the history of the Sikh tradition and the teachings of the Gurus in the national curriculum, so that these ideals of service, courage, and truth become the foundation of our new generation’s thinking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the sacred ‘Joda Sahib’ was scientifically tested with full respect and dignity so that this sacred heritage could be preserved for generations to come. Considering all the facts, we took the collective decision that these sacred ‘Joda Sahibs’ will be dedicated to Takht Sri Patna Sahib, where Guru Maharaj spent a long time of his childhood. Last month, as a part of a holy journey, these sacred ‘Joda Sahibs’ of Guru Maharaj were taken from Delhi to Patna Sahib and there he also got the opportunity to bow his head before these sacred ‘Joda Sahibs’.
He said that the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji teaches us how broad, generous, and humanity-centered Indian culture has always been. He lived the life of the one who embodied the principle of “Sarbat ka Bhala.” Today’s event is not only a moment to honor these memories and Sikhs, it is also an important inspiration for our present and future.
He said that Guru Sahib himself taught us not to intimidate anyone, nor to live in fear of anyone. This fearlessness strengthens society and the nation. Today, India also follows this principle. We preach brotherhood to the world and protect our borders. We want peace, but we do not compromise on our security. Operation Sindoor is the greatest example of this. The entire world has seen that the new India neither fears, nor stops, nor bows down to terrorism. Today’s India is moving forward with full strength, with courage and clarity.
