Reminding that the 9th Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur gave up his life for his ideals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his “balidan” should be seen as a continuation of great sacrifices made by “our Rishis and Gurus” to defend and preserve the “great heritage and tradition” of India and not as a separate event.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the PM said, “In front of Aurangzeb’s tyrannical thinking, Guru Tegh Bahadur became ‘Hind di Chadar’ and stood like a rock. This Red Fort is a witness that even though Aurangzeb severed many heads, but could not shake our faith.”
The Red Fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was here that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur in 1675.
As Shabad Kirtan like “Hari ko naam sada sukhdayi” wafted in the air, Modi wearing a Sikh turban looked immersed in the prayer. He later released a postal stamp and a commemorative coin on the Sikh guru.
Addressing the gathering of the devotees, Modi said, “When Guru Teg Bahadur was born, it was said that this child will eliminate sorrow of the marginalised. Gurdwara Shish Ganj Sahib, which is close to the Red Fort, is a symbol of Guru Teg Bahadur’s sacrifice.”
Seeing a “unity” in the sacrifices made by the Gurus and the “millions” others, Modi said all of them laid down their lives so that Indian heritage lives on. He said Guru Teg Bahadur lived and sacrificed himself for his ideals.
India, he said is “not only a country but a great tradition which is “nursed” by thousands of Rishis and Gurus and that sacrifice of Teg Bahadurji “cannot be seen separately” .
The PM recalled the tremendous services of ten Gurus and specifically referred to Guru Nanak whose travels unified the country.
“Guru Nanak Dev ji united the whole country in one thread. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s followers are everywhere. Patna Sahib in Patna and Rakabganj Sahib in Delhi, we see ‘Ek Bharat’ everywhere in the form of Guru’s wisdom and blessings,” he said.
Modi said, “Whenever our civilisation faces a crisis, a new hero rises to the occasion” and that “Empires came and went, but India stood strong...India is moving ahead”.
Modi said on this auspicious occasion he bows at the feet of all ten gurus. “I am happy that today our country is moving forward with full devotion to the ideals of our gurus. On this virtuous occasion, I bow at the feet of all ten gurus. Hearty congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Prakash Parv”, he said
Sikh leaders sought a Sikh university in Delhi and wanted that an international airport be named after Guru Teg Bahadur.
The event is seen as BJP trying to reach out to the Sikhs in Punjab ever since it decided to go it alone in the Punjab Assembly elections following the breakdown of the old alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal over the three farm laws. In neighbouring Haryana, the party has planned a series of events to mark the occasion, including a grand event in Panipat on April