AI Generated Summary
- To commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Ji on a governmental scale, he instructed both the Central and State governments to ensure that the message of Guru Ji’s martyrdom reaches every household in the country.
- The purpose of conducting the program at the Red Fort was symbolic — the same Red Fort from where the decree of Guru Ji’s martyrdom was once issued should today witness millions bowing their heads in His reverence.
- Had Guru Ji not sacrificed His life to protect people from the tyranny of the Mughals, perhaps today temples would not exist, there would be no vermilion in the partings of Hindu women, no tilak on their foreheads, and this country might have followed another religion.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who is known as the ninth Guru in Sikhism, made a unique and unparalleled sacrifice — a sacrifice for the protection of another religion. Never in history has there been, nor will there ever be, an example where someone lays down their life to safeguard the faith of others. Yet, it is deeply unfortunate that even today the people of the country remain unaware of such a great chapter in history. While school textbooks taught about the cruel Aurangzeb who committed atrocities, the history of Guru Ji — who freed people from those atrocities — was kept away from students, which clearly indicates a large conspiracy.
By good fortune, today the nation is in the hands of those who are fully aware that if Hindu Dharma exists today, it is because of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Had Guru Ji not sacrificed His life to protect people from the tyranny of the Mughals, perhaps today temples would not exist, there would be no vermilion in the partings of Hindu women, no tilak on their foreheads, and this country might have followed another religion. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib — the site of Guru Ji’s martyrdom — and bowed his head without any security. To commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Ji on a governmental scale, he instructed both the Central and State governments to ensure that the message of Guru Ji’s martyrdom reaches every household in the country.
Prime Minister Modi himself attended the martyrdom commemoration program organised by the Haryana government. The President of India, the Vice President, and the Home Minister all attended the Red Fort event in Delhi to pay tribute to Guru Ji. The Delhi government organised a 3-day program at the Red Fort in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended all three days and met with the devotees. A major role in making these programs successful was played by Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who, having served as the President of the Delhi Gurdwara Committee, is well aware of the traditional maryada. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also participated in the martyrdom program and offered his respects. The Punjab government too organised multiple events.
The purpose of conducting the program at the Red Fort was symbolic — the same Red Fort from where the decree of Guru Ji’s martyrdom was once issued should today witness millions bowing their heads in His reverence. Thousands visit the martyrdom site daily anyway, while on the other hand, no one visits Aurangzeb’s tomb, where even the lamp is lit after collecting money from visitors. The Light and Sound Show at the Red Fort, along with the museum depicting Guru Sahib’s life — from birth to receiving Guruship and finally martyrdom — remained the centre of attraction for the sangat. Delhi Committee President Harmeet Singh Kalka and General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon stated that despite making vast arrangements, the sangat turnout exceeded expectations, yet the devotees participated with utmost devotion and appreciated the programs.
Meanwhile, some people disliked seeing Sikh organisations collaborating with governments to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary. They must realise that Sikh organisations could not create large-scale awareness among people in the past 350 years. Now, when the governments themselves have stepped forward to spread the message of Guru Ji’s martyrdom, we should appreciate and support them, instead of adopting a negative approach and discouraging their efforts.
