Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended a special event organized to mark the 350th martyrdom birth anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, in Kurukshetra. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur and described him as an icon of truth, justice and faith. He said that another amazing coincidence had happened 5-6 years ago. On November 9, 2019, when the Supreme Court’s decision on the Ram Temple came, I was at Dera Baba Nanak for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. I was praying that the path for the construction of the Ram Temple should be paved, and the aspirations of crores of Ram devotees should be fulfilled. And the prayers of all of us were fulfilled, on the same day the decision came in favor of Ram temple.
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Modi said that now when the religious flag has been established in Ayodhya, then again I have got a chance to take blessings from the Sikh Sangat. Recently, Panchjanya Memorial was also inaugurated on the land of Kurukshetra. Standing on this very land of Kurukshetra, Lord Shri Krishna had declared protection of truth and justice as the greatest religion. He had said ‘Swadharme Nidhanam Shreyah’ i.e. it is best to sacrifice one’s life for one’s religion on the path of truth. Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji also considered protection of truth, justice and faith as his religion and he protected this religion by sacrificing his life.
The Prime Minister said that on this historic occasion, the Government of India has the privilege of dedicating a commemorative postage stamp and a special coin at the feet of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. I wish that our government continues to serve the Guru tradition like this. He said that personalities like Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji are rare in history. His life, his sacrifice, his character are a great inspiration. In that period of Mughal invaders, Guru Sahib set the ideal of bravery.
Modi said that during the period of Mughal invaders, Kashmiri Hindus were being forcibly converted. Amidst this crisis, a group of victims sought help from Guru Sahib. Then Sri Guru Sahib had replied to those victims that all of you should clearly tell Aurangzeb that if Sri Guru Teg Bahadur accepts Islam, then we all will adopt Islam. He said that these sentences were the pinnacle of the fearlessness of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. After this, what was expected happened. That cruel Aurangzeb ordered Guru Sahib to be imprisoned. But, Guru Sahib himself announced to go to Delhi. The Mughal rulers also tempted him, but Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur remained firm. He did not compromise on religion and principles.
The Prime Minister said that therefore, to break his mind, to divert Guru Sahib from the path, his three companions Bhai Dayala Ji, Bhai Satidas Ji, Bhai Matidas Ji were brutally murdered in front of him. But, Guru Sahib remained firm, his resolve remained firm. He did not leave the path of religion. At that time Guru Sahib dedicated his head to protect the religion. He said that the tradition of our Gurus is the basis of our nation’s character, our culture and our basic spirit. I am satisfied that in the last 11 years, our government has established these sacred traditions and every festival of Sikh tradition as a national festival.
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Modi said that our government has tried to connect every pilgrimage of Gurus with the form of modern India. Be it the completion of the Kartarpur Corridor, the construction of the ropeway project at Hemkund Sahib, the expansion of the Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum at Anandpur Sahib, we have tried to complete all these works with full devotion, taking the glorious tradition of the Gurus as our ideal. He said that we all know how the Mughals had crossed all limits of cruelty even with the brave Sahibzadas. The brave Sahibzadas accepted being selected for the wall… but did not leave the path of their duty and religion. To honor these ideals, we now celebrate Veer Bal Diwas on 26 December every year.