AI Generated Summary
- On one side were leaders who celebrated Children’s Day in their own names, and on the other was Prime Minister Modi, who decided to commemorate the bravery and martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sahibzadas by declaring “Veer Bal Diwas” (Day of the Brave Children) — giving the entire nation a message that every Indian child should look up to these young heroes as role models.
- He also ensured that the story of the sacrifices made by the Sikh Gurus and the Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) reached every household in the country.
- While earlier the history taught in schools often highlighted the reign of oppressive Mughal rulers, the focus is now shifting toward teaching the story of the Sikh Gurus’ sacrifices to the younger generation.
After India’s independence, Narendra Modi is seen as the first Prime Minister who holds deep and complete faith in the Sikh Gurus. He firmly believes that it is because of the sacrifices made by the Sikh Gurus that the nation continues to exist today. He often recalls that had Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji not sacrificed his life in 1675 to protect the Hindu faith, the situation in India would have been entirely different.
After Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji took charge and, while fighting against tyranny, sacrificed all four of his sons for the sake of the nation and religion. The martyrdom of such great Gurus is unparalleled in human history.
Recognizing their immense contributions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, soon after coming to power, began resolving one by one the longstanding issues faced by the Sikh community. He also ensured that the story of the sacrifices made by the Sikh Gurus and the Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) reached every household in the country.
On one side were leaders who celebrated Children’s Day in their own names, and on the other was Prime Minister Modi, who decided to commemorate the bravery and martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Sahibzadas by declaring “Veer Bal Diwas” (Day of the Brave Children) — giving the entire nation a message that every Indian child should look up to these young heroes as role models.
From Delhi to Kanyakumari, boards and displays have been installed narrating the story of the Sahibzadas’ supreme sacrifice. While earlier the history taught in schools often highlighted the reign of oppressive Mughal rulers, the focus is now shifting toward teaching the story of the Sikh Gurus’ sacrifices to the younger generation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also the first Prime Minister to bow his head and seek blessings at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Remarkably, even Dr. Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh Prime Minister, had not visited the shrine during his tenure. Modi has visited Patna Sahib twice to pay his respects.
Since Modi’s visits, it has become a tradition for almost every major political leader visiting Patna to also bow at Takht Patna Sahib. Most recently, on Wednesday morning, during the celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Parv (birth anniversary), Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also bowed and sought Guru Ji’s blessings.
In Delhi, Prime Minister Modi has also paid his respects at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, the sacred site where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s body was cremated. On the 350th anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom, Modi personally requested details from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee regarding events planned at the Red Fort complex.
Since the Partition of India, the Sikh community has been praying for access to historical gurdwaras that remained across the border. Responding to this long-standing wish, the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was opened, allowing thousands of devotees to visit that sacred place.
The government also officially celebrated Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Prakash Parv and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s 400th Prakash Parv at the national level. Although the Kartarpur Corridor was temporarily closed following the Pahalgam attack, discussions are actively ongoing on how to reopen it as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Modi also played a significant role in ensuring justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, working to bring the culprits to justice.
At present, several of the Sikh community’s key demands are under the government’s active consideration, and decisions on these issues may be taken soon.
