India has never posed a threat to any country or society and even today we think about the welfare of the whole world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Modi broke with tradition and addressed the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of the 400th birth anniversary of ninth Sikh guru Tegh Bahadur.
He also released commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion.
The prime minister said that the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur has inspired many generations of India to live and die to protect the dignity of their culture, for its honour and respect. The Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the Red Fort stands a symbol of the immortal sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, he added.
"This holy Gurudwara 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," Modi said.
Red Fort is witness that Aurangzeb and tyrants like him might have beheaded many people but our faith could not be separated from us, the prime minister said. “In front of Aurangzeb’s tyrannical thinking, at that time Guru Tegh Bahadur becoming ‘Hind di chadar’, stood like a rock.”
Modi said his government is making continuous efforts to connect the pilgrimages of Sikhs and mentioned that last year it decided to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas on 26th December in the memory of the sacrifice of Sahibzadas.
The prime minister said the whole world is looking towards India, hoping to guide humanity on its path. "India has never posed a threat to any country or society. Even today we think for the welfare of the whole world. When we talk about a self-reliant India, we keep the progress of the whole world in front of that goal," he said.
According to a PMO release, the programme is being organised by the central government in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
During the two-day event, which began on Wednesday, ragis and children from different parts of the country will participate in 'Shabad Kirtan'. There will also be a grand light and sound show depicting the life of the Sikh guru.
The traditional martial art of Sikhs, 'Gatka', will also be organised, the PMO added.
The programme is focussed on highlighting the teachings of the ninth Sikh guru who sacrificed his life to protect religion and human values, ideals and principles in world history, it noted, adding that he was executed for supporting the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits on the orders of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
His death anniversary is commemorated as 'Shaheedi Divas' every year on November 24.
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, built at the spot where he was beheaded, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, the site of his cremation, in Delhi are associated with his sacrifice. His legacy serves as a great unifying force for the nation, it said.
The fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675, according to Ministry of Culture officials.
With PTI inputs
