NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the celebrations of the 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur at Red Fort here on Thursday. He released a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion.
“I am happy that today our country is moving forward with full devotion on the ideals of our gurus. On this virtuous occasion, I bow at the feet of all ten gurus,” he said.
“Red Fort has been a witness to many important periods. This fort has also seen the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and has also tested the courage of those who died for the country,” the PM added.
He also invoked oppression unleashed by Aurangzeb and remembered the sacrifice of Guru Guru Tegh Bahadur. “There was a time in India when people were oppressed in the name of religion. Aurangzeb may have killed many, but couldn’t destroy our faith. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the Red Fort is a symbol of the immortal sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. This holy Gurudwara reminds us of the great sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect our great culture,” the prime minister stated.
“The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has inspired many generations of India to live and die to protect the dignity of their culture, for its honor and respect,” 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,” he elaborated.
The PM also talked about the efforts of his government to celebrate Sikh heritage. “The government decided to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas on 26th December in memory of the great sacrifice of Sahibzadas. The government is also making continuous efforts to connect the pilgrimages of Sikh tradition. The wait for Kartar Sahib is over and many government schemes are making a pilgrimage of these holy places easy and accessible,” Modi pointed out.
“Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, a pilgrimage circuit is coming up that comprises many prominent places including Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar Sahib. Ropeway work is progressing at Hemkunt Sahib,” he announced.
“Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, for us, is a guide of self-realization as well as a living form of India’s diversity and unity. Therefore, the government left no stone unturned when crisis arose in Afghanistan and the Holy ‘Swaroop’ of Guru Granth Sahib was brought with all the respect,” he added.
The PM also said that through Citizenship Amendment Act, path of citizenship for oppressed Sikhs and minorities coming from neighbouring counties has been cleared.