Batting for the need to observe martyrdom day of Sikh master Guru Teg Bahadur at the national level, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that it would help in promoting ethos of secularism, communal harmony and brotherhood in the country.
Addressing a gathering converged at Mata Nanaki Gurmat Sammelan on the inaugural day of celebrations to mark 350th foundation day of Sri Anandpur Sahib, Badal said the ninth Sikh guru, who founded this holy town, was an epitome of socialism and secularism as he sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country.
“Observation of Guru Teg Bahadur martyrdom would not only be a humble tribute to this great Sikh Guru but would further cement ties between people…The life and philosophy of Guru Teg Bahadur is a lighthouse for all us,” he said.
Terming the foundation stone of Sri Anandpur Sahib as a “revolutionary step in the annals of Indian history”, Badal said that the foundation of socialism and secularism was laid on this sacred land by the great Sikh gurus. The tenth master of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa panth on this sacred land which proved to be a milestone in forming a casteless and secular society in the country, he said.
listing several initiatives taken by the state government to perpetuate the glorious legacy of the state, the Chief Minister said that that the state government has spend nearly Rs 1000 crore by creating a network of several magnificent memorials including Virasat-e-Khalsa, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial, Chotta Ghallugara and Vadda Ghalugarra memorials, among others.“The sole aim of constructing these memorials is to keep our younger generations abreast with the glorious and rich cultural and historic legacy of the state,” he said.