Expressing concern over the menace of casteism, inequality and several other social evils confronted by the country, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday exhorted the countrymen to follow the path of equality and secularism shown by Sikhs’ tenth Guru Gobind Singh to overcome all these maladies.
Badal, addressing a gathering during three-day International Sikh Conclave to commemorate the 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh, said the life and philosophy of Guru Gobind Singh could not only act as a catalyst to unite the country but it could also help in making the country a frontrunner in the world.
“The maladies like casteism and social inequality could be overcome easily by following the path shown by great Sikh Guru,” he said.
Congratulating Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for successfully organising the conclave, Badal said that such events further strengthen the ethos of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity across the length and breadth of the country. “For this, Guru Gobind Singh made unparalleled contribution for upholding the age-old traditions of secularism besides safeguarding human rights and ensuring religious independence thereby sacrificing everything including even his own family,” he said.
Badal said that Sikhism propagated the true model of socialism and secularism in the world. “The Guru Granth Sahib is a lighthouse of universal brotherhood, secularism and socialism for every human being,” he said.
Recalling the unparalleled and unique sacrifices made by Punjabis in Indian freedom struggle, he mentioned that 80 per cent sacrifices had been made by Punjabis alone in the national freedom movement despite the fact that they merely constituted two per cent of country’s population.
Saying that Patna, as the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh, would naturally be on the centrestage during the celebration of this holy and historical occasion, Badal said, “I have no doubt in my mind that the Government and the people of Bihar would fully measure up to the expectations of millions and millions of people all over the world, treating the occasion as ‘the event of their lifetime’.”
He said the Punjab Government has also chalked out a series of programmes to commemorate this day, while inviting the Bihar CM to participate in the same.
Badal also handed over a cheque of Rs 10 crore on behalf of the Punjab Government to Nitish Kumar for the construction of Guru Gobind Singh Bhawan at Sri Patna Sahib as a part of year-long 350th celebrations of Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh.
“This Bhawan would be instrumental in providing boarding and lodging facilities to the devotees coming here to pay obeisance at Takhat Sri Patna Sahib,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that it was a matter of great pride for him that the entire world was celebrating Parkash Utsav of tenth master during his regime in the State.
“The land of Bihar is the most sacred and auspicious as three Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh had spread the message of oneness of God and humanity while treading on the path of divinity,” said Kumar.
Together, the two Chief Ministers unveiled a book on life and philosophy of Guru Gobind Singh.