PM leads tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to the sacrifices made by Guru Tegh Bahadur and other Sikh Gurus to highlight how their legacy inspires India to think of the well being of the entire world.

“The gurus taught us to take pride in our achievements,” Modi said during a commemorative event at the Red Fort on the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

“The country’s progress is imperative, for which we need everyone’s efforts. When we celebrate 100 years of independence, a new India will be before us. We have to sacrifice ourselves for India’s success,” he said.

The PM paid homage to the Guru by launching a coin and a postage stamp.

Modi said whenever the country was in danger, fighters such as Guru Tegh Bahadur stood steadfast against tyrannical forces. “When we think about health, about development, India comes on top because personalities like Guru Tegh Bahadur have led us.”

“Our country is progressing today because it follows the path that the Gurus have laid for us. Wherever we are, it is because of our freedom fighters who have ensured that democracy can exist in India,” he said. The PM asserted that India is not only a country, but a legacy, and a tradition. Lauding Guru Tegh Bahadur, he said the country owes him for his ultimate sacrifice. “He was Hind ki Chadar (the quilt of

Hindustan), he fought for our rights and challenged many rulers who sought to violate them,” Modi said.

Born on 21 April, 1621, Guru Tegh Bahadur was sent to his execution by beheading on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on 16 November, 1675. “From the place where this fatwa (order) of execution was declared, is where this government has chosen to celebrate the Guru’s life,” home minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday. India has never posed a threat to any country or society and it thinks for the welfare of the entire world even today amid global conflicts, Modi said, adding that the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the Red Fort stands as a symbol of the immortal sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

“This gurdwara reminds us how great was the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji to protect our great culture. At that time there was a storm of religious fanaticism in the country. India, which considered religion as a matter of philosophy, science and self-reflection, was facing people who had committed violence and atrocities in the name of religion,” he said. At that time, there was a great hope for India to save its identity in the form of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the PM noted.

The Red Fort is witness that Aurangzeb and tyrants like him might have beheaded many but our faith could not be separated from us, the PM said.

The event also saw performances by 400 Sikh musicians and a langar service was held.

(With PTI inputs)

PTI PM Narendra Modi speaks at an event held to commemorate the 400th birth anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru at Red Fort.