New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday participated in a kirtan Darbar organised by the Punjab government as a part of a series of
events to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.
Addressing the gathering during the Kirtan Darbar organised here at
Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, the National Convener of AAP said that the Punjab government is fortunate to have got the opportunity to organise a series of commemorative events dedicated to the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He said that these events being organised by the Punjab government began today from the national capital on the occasion of Guru sahib’s 350th Martyrdom Anniversary. Arvind Kejriwal said that Mughals had planned to forcibly convert Hindus to Islam, after which Pandits of Kashmir, seeking protection for their faith, came to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for help.
The National Convener of AAP said that despite several offers from the Mughal emperor, Guru Ji refused to bow before tyranny and chose the path of martyrdom to defend freedom of religion. He said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred in Delhi in 1675 and is remembered across the world as the first martyr who sacrificed his life for the protection of human rights. Arvind Kejriwal said that the pages of world
history are filled with events of austerity, restraint, bravery,
sacrifice, and service, yet the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
for religious freedom and human dignity opened a new chapter
unparalleled in human history.
The National Convener of AAP said that instead of bowing before Mughal power, Guru ji shook the very roots of tyranny with his unmatched sacrifice. He said that before his martyrdom, Guru ji’s grandfather, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji had also endured severe torture from rulers, offering his life with the divine acceptance. Arvind Kejriwal said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice for the protection of faith
and righteousness transformed the course of India’s history.
National Convener of AAP said that the martyrdoms of great souls give new direction and turn the tide of time, shaping the unique identity of a community. Likewise, he said that through his supreme sacrifice, Guru
Sahib sent a clear message to the rulers that religion cannot be
imposed upon anyone by force. Arvind Kejriwal said that Guru
Sahib’s martyrdom instilled in Sikhs a new spirit of fearlessness,
courage, self-respect, and the resolve to become protectors of the
oppressed and defenders of humanity.
National Convener of AAP said that above all Guru Sahib taught the entire humanity to live life with self-dignity. He said that before the
martyrdom of Guru Ji at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, his devoted disciples
Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Ji were executed with
unimaginable cruelty. Arvind Kejriwal said that Bhai Mati Das Ji was sawn alive, Bhai Sati Das Ji was wrapped in cotton and burnt
whereas Bhai Dayala Ji was boiled alive.
National Convener of AAP said that on this occasion, everyone also remembers Baba Jiwan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) with reverence, the faithful Sikh who, despite the Mughal regime’s brutal control, carried Guru Sahib’s severed head from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk to Shri Kiratpur Sahib. Paying homage to Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Ji, Arvind Kejriwal said that he risked his life to rescue Guru Sahib’s body and cremated it in his own house, at the site where Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib now stands. He said that Sikh history is replete with examples of martyrdom as it holds the highest place in Sikh faith adding that the Sikh martyrs never bowed to tyranny or oppression; they laid down their lives but did not give up their principles.
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering Chief Minister said that the sacrifices of these martyrs were not for personal gain but for the welfare of all and for truth and justice. He said that 24 years after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom, in 1699, the Khalsa was created on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur
Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the tenth Master, Sri Guru
Gobind Singh Ji, sacrificed his entire family for the honor of the
faith, an unparalleled example in world history.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have inherited their spirit of
resistance against oppression, tyranny and injustice from Sri Guru
Arjan Dev Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
He said that the spirit of sacrifice runs in our blood, and Punjabis
take pride in their glorious heritage. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that
the purpose of commemorating this great occasion is to spread the
philosophy of the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji throughout the world so that ideals of peace, harmony, and secularism for which Guru ji sacrificed himself may be preserved.
The Chief Minister said that the nations that forget their glorious
heritage fade quickly from the pages of history. He said that those
who take inspiration from their past and walk in the light of
martyrdom can find rays of hope even in darkness. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ninth Sikh Guru was an advocate of unity and religious tolerance adding that his life and teachings stand as a beacon for all humanity.
The Chief Minister said that to commemorate Guru Sahib’s martyrdom day, the Punjab Government is organizing events across various states. He said that events begin today at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and grand Kirtan Darbar is being organised at Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from November 1 to November 18, light-and-sound shows will take place across all districts of Punjab, showcasing the life and philosophy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The Chief Minister said that Kirtan darbars will be organized in towns
and cities sanctified by Guru sahib’s visits and on November 18, a
Kirtan Darbar will be held in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), followed by a Nagar Kirtan on November 19 in which hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits will participate. He said that on November 20, three Nagar Kirtans will be organized from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Faridkot, and Gurdaspur adding that all these four nagar kirtans will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from November 23 to 25, large-scale events will take place
at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The Chief Minister said that a “Tent City,” named “Chakk Nanaki,” will
be set up for the accommodation of thousands of pilgrims arriving in
large numbers. Likewise, he said that an interfaith conference will be
held, along with exhibitions and drone shows illuminating Guru Sahib’s life and message. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on November 24, a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly will take place at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where prominent personalities will share
reflections on the Guru ji’s life, philosophy, and his sacrifice for
religious freedom and human rights.
On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harjot Singh Bains, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Mohinder Bhagat and Barinder Goyal, Lok Sabha MPs Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Malwinder Singh Kang, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahni, Advisor Tourism and Cultural Affairs Deepak Bali, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.
