New Delhi September 22, 2025 (MANMOHAN SINGH)
In a ‘Sarv Dharam Sammellan’ organised here Saturday by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Ninth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Head Ganthi of Shri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, Giani Raghbir Singh said that the sacrifice by the ninth master is unparallel as there is no other example in the history of attaining martyrdom for protection of religious freedom.
“Sikhism teaches compassion, forgiveness, passion, patience, morality, humility and acceptance for all religions”, he said adding that there are different languages, different places of worship, different styles of clothes, different cultural traditions but all human are same, as there is “one humanity and one God”.
During the inter-faith discussion Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was remembered as ‘Hind- Di Chadar’ and Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala Ji who laid their life alongwith Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji were also paid rich tributes.
Connecting the days of martyrdom by Ninth Master to the present day context Giani Raghbir Singh said, “We do not encourage religious conversions, and curbing anyone’s religious freedom even by allurement is a crime,” he reiterated.
Earlier while welcoming the dignitaries and heads of different religions and sects, DSGMC president S. Harmeet Singh Kalka kickstarted the series of commemorative events to pay tributes the sacrifice of ninth Guru, which according to S. Kalka has no match in the living world. He acknowledge the contribution of cabinet ministers S. Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Sh. Kapil Mishra and the CM Smt. Rekha Gupta for supporting the initiatives of the DSGMC and Sikhs. “There is urgent need to bring the entire Sikh community on a common platform,” he suggested. Later DSGMC general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon thanked the ministers, dignitaries and all those present in the audience.
Former Rajya Sabha member and former minorities commission chairman S. Tarlochan Singh said in the entire civilisation, the sacrifice by Guruji has no unparallel. “Our religious teaches us to stand against tyrannical. The fundamental right of religious freedom in the Indian constitution has been derived from the life and martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur”, he said.
He requested Smt. Rekha Gupta led Delhi government to start an institute dedicated to martyrdom which will be a true sardhanjali to Guru Sahib. People from all religions should come to learn and understand get familiar with one who has given this concept.
According to cabinet minister in Sh. Kapil Mishra in the inter-faith discussion organised by DSGMC the message of Guru Granth Sahib will live forever even if the world ceases to exist. “There is no other example of sacrifice by a family, Grandfather (Guru Tegh Bahadur) his son Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four sons laid live for the humanity.
“The Delhi government under Smt. Rekha Gupta has decided that we will organise such an event in November month for three days on 23rd to 25th, so that the future generations should understand the depth of Sikh religion”, said Sh. Mishra.
He informed that a three day event will be organised at Lal Qila and a temporary museum will be also be set up depicting Sikhism and the life and times of Guru Tegh Bahadur. According to Mishra a light and sound show will be organised. Guru Tegh Bahadur memorial on the outskirts of Delhi will be refurbished and a permanent a laser and sound show will be started which will be displayed on a daily basis.
Cabinet Minister in Delhi S. Manjinder Singh Sirsa quoted Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah who had announced of being under the debt of Ninth Master for saving the religious freedom, which cannot be paid back.
Speaking on the conversion, S. Sirsa said that none can force anyone to convert to other religion. “It’s a cruelty against humanity. The then Mughal rulers forced people to convert people as Muslims”, he added. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Sahni also spoke on the occasion. He adds that the commemoration functions being organised by Delhi government are being meticulously planned and Delhi Cm Smt. Rekha Gupta is taking keen interest.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati said that the India we live in is because of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. “Had he not laid his life, things would have been very different,” he accepted while making a call for making Punjab drug free, so as to save the future generations. On the occasion a message from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji was read out on the occasion.
Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji, Shri Goswami Sushil Ji, Shri Bhikkhu Sanghsena Ji, Haji Syed Salman Chisti Ji, Rabbi Ezekeil Issac Malekar ji, Rajyogini Dr Binny Sareen Ji, Shri Ravinder Pandita Ji and Dr. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto Ji also paid rich tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
