Guru Harikrishna Sahib's Legacy: Healing and Devotion at Bangla Sahib
Guru Harikrishna Sahib Ji, the eighth Guru Nanak Jyot, was born in Kiratpur Sahib on July 17, 1656, to Mata Kishan Kaur Ji and Guru Hari Rai Sahib Ji. As the younger son of Guru Hari Rai Ji, he was appointed to the throne at the tender age of five. This decision upset Guru Ji's elder son, Ram Rai, who complained to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb sided with Ram Rai and ordered Raja Jai Singh to bring Guru Harikrishna Sahib to him. Raja Jai Singh sent a messenger to Kiratpur, summoning Guru Ji to Delhi. Initially, Guru Ji declined, but eventually agreed after persistent requests from his Gursikhs and Raja Jai Singh. Upon arriving in Delhi, Raja Jai Singh tested Guru Ji by having palace women, adorned in fine clothes and jewelry, stand before him. Among them, his queen was disguised as a maid. Guru Ji immediately recognized her and sat in her lap, prompting Raja Jai Singh to honor Guru Ji with hospitality in his palace. During this period, a severe smallpox epidemic struck Delhi, causing numerous deaths daily. Guru Ji prayed and offered the afflicted water from the palace pond, which healed them. Although the disease seemed eradicated, Guru Ji himself contracted it and ultimately passed away.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is a revered site where thousands of devotees visit daily to bow and drink from the holy well, seeking relief from their ailments. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee operates Rupak Dispensary here, offering MRI services for just 90 rupees, compared to the usual 8 to 10 thousand rupees elsewhere. Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, the dispensary's chairman, reports that over 100,000 MRIs have been conducted. Additionally, a PET scan machine is available for cancer detection at a minimal cost. The blessings of Guru Harikrishna Sahib are believed by the Sangat to cure all diseases for those who bow here.
Demand to reopen Kartarpur Corridor
Many historic Gurudwaras of the Sikh community went to Pakistan after the partition of the country and the Sikh community continuously prays for their reopening. On the occasion of the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Modi government of the country opened the land of Kartarpur Sahib, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his last years in agriculture and gave the message of service to mankind, and gifted it to the Sikhs. After this, thousands of people visited Kartarpur Sahib, while earlier from the Indian side, the devotees used to visit through binoculars from Dera Baba Nanak. But after the recent Pahalgam attack, the distance between the two countries increased again and the Kartarpur Corridor was also closed in view of security.
On the occasion of a program organized by Bharat Vikas Parishad, the Home Minister of the country, Amit Shah arrived as the chief guest where a large number of people from the Sikh community were present. Actually, it is said that even though Bharat Vikas Parishad is a government institution, the main role in its formation was played by the Sikh community and Punjabis and it started from Punjab itself. Bharat Vikas Parishad's organization general secretary Suresh Jain and contact committee member Amanjit Singh Bakshi say that since the independence of the country, the most active industry was in Punjab, which gradually shifted to other states due to time and circumstances. Bharat Vikas Parishad was brought to Hound by the people running those industries. During this program, Amanjit Singh Bakshi has appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah to open the Kartarpur Corridor before the Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on which the Home Minister has assured that it will be considered if there are strong security arrangements.
Why are Khalistanis silent on the insult of Sikhs in Pakistan?
Certain videos from Pakistan are gaining widespread attention, resembling scenes from a Pakistani movie, and are causing distress to the religious sentiments of Sikhs. These videos depict intoxicated individuals in inappropriate situations with women who are dressed as Sikhs, wearing turbans and kirpans.
In Sikh tradition, not only is intoxication prohibited, but the kirpan can only be worn by individuals who have taken Amrit. However, contrary to Sikh customs, Pakistanis are making non-Sikh people wear turbans and kirpans and portraying them as drunk, seemingly with the intention of defaming Sikhs. Khalistani supporters, who frequently criticize India, remain silent on this disrespectful act by Pakistan. It raises the question of whether their operations are influenced by Pakistani agencies, preventing them from speaking out against such insults to Sikhism. Sikhs in India are fully aware of this situation and have urged the government to address the issue internationally, ensuring those responsible for such disrespectful acts receive an appropriate response.