Just weeks after the November 10 car blast near the Red Fort, the historic monument is preparing to host a major event marking the 350th death anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
The security has been stepped up significantly ahead of the three-day kirtan darbar, which will run from November 23 to 25, with several VVIPs likely to attend the event, and it is expected to draw nearly 50,000 people. President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to attend the event.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday visited the Red Fort to review the ongoing preparations for the upcoming Gurmat Samagam event.
The Chief Minister conducted an on-site inspection and directed all concerned departments to complete their tasks within the stipulated timelines and with the highest standards of quality.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed key arrangements related to security, crowd management, traffic regulation, cleanliness, lighting, drinking water, and the availability of emergency services.
She instructed officials to ensure that devotees and visitors face no inconvenience during the event, and emphasised the need for seamless coordination among all departments.
The chief minister appealed to Delhiites to attend a mega event to be organised by the Delhi Government. She visited the Red Fort to attend the Shaheedi Diwas event organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).
The 350th death anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being celebrated across the country. In Delhi, we have also organised a major event from November 23 to 25. It has been organised at the Red Fort since it is a witness to his martyrdom,” she told reporters.
The chief minister said that there will be a light and sound show and ‘kirtan darbar’. “The entire country will attend this mega event. I urge Delhiites to come and attend this mega gathering. We welcome you all. We extend an invitation to everyone,” she added.
Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened in and around the Red Fort. Police have installed 25 additional CCTV cameras on the stretch leading to the monument, while the DSGMC has set up 250 to 300 cameras to maintain round-the-clock surveillance, officials added. According to Jasmain Singh Noni, Secretary of the DSGMC, President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to attend the event.
The blast triggered by a “suicide bomber”, which followed the busting of a “white-collar” terror module spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, claimed 15 lives. Even as the scars of the blast remain, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has kick-started the event on Thursday.
A multi-layer security grid involving CISF, Delhi Police, bomb squads and other agencies has been deployed to conduct thorough checks of all visitors. Despite the recent blast, visitors expressed confidence in attending the commemorative events.
“We are courageous and God-fearing people. These blasts cannot shake our faith in God. When our Guru was not scared, who are we to fear anyone?” said Paramjeet Singh Chadha (71), who visited the Red Fort on Wednesday.
Another visitor, Amrit Singh (60), said her family felt secure due to the enhanced arrangements.” The significance of this anniversary is immense for us. Not for a moment did we hesitate to come here,” she added.
The DSGMC secretary emphasised that the preparations never stopped despite the blast. “Even when the incident happened, the work did not halt for a minute because this is for our Guru. Delhi Police assured us of maximum security. We have installed 250 to 300 CCTV cameras around the Red Fort to maintain vigil,” he said.
He added that while some people were initially apprehensive about travelling to Delhi, the organisers reassured them, now, over 50,000 attendees are expected.