AAP Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur: At the Kirtan Darbar organised on the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Kejriwal said, “There is no sacrifice like that of Guru Sahib in history.” “Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib made the supreme sacrifice in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, to save Hinduism. A Kirtan Jatha will depart from Srinagar on Wednesday and reach Anandpur Sahib on November 22nd. He also appeals to everyone to participate in the programs organised by the Punjab government on the 350th martyrdom day. Bhagwant Mann stated that, for the first time, a special session of the Assembly will be held in Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 24, in which historic decisions will be taken. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and cabinet ministers of the Punjab government were present at the Kirtan Darbar organised at Gurudwara Sri Chatti Patshahi Sahib in Srinagar.
AAP Leaders Pay Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib During 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Observance
Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann attended the Kirtan Darbar held at Gurudwara Sri Chatti Patshahi Sahib in Srinagar to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Kejriwal said that history has never seen a sacrifice like that of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. He stated that the yatra will depart from Srinagar on Wednesday and arrive in Anandpur Sahib on November 22nd. He urged everyone to participate in the events organised by the Punjab government to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. The entire Punjab government cabinet and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Describing himself as fortunate to participate in the Kirtan Darbar, Kejriwal said that people typically visit Srinagar for tourism and work. He felt fortunate to be visiting Srinagar for the first time and to have the opportunity to visit this sacred site. We have all gathered here on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of a holy soul, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib is known as the “King of Martyrs” and “The Shield of India.” No religion in the world has witnessed a martyrdom like that of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
Arvind Kejriwal said, “We all know how Kashmiri Pandits were being persecuted. Kashmiri Pandits reached out to Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Anandpur and sought help. To save the religion of the Hindu people, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib made the supreme sacrifice in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Such a sacrifice is unheard of in history. We all salute and honour his martyrdom. The Punjab government has organised numerous events to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. I appeal to everyone to attend the event in Anandpur Sahib in large numbers and also participate in various other events.”
AAP Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur: Leaders Pay Homage to Guru Sahib; Appeal for Greater Awareness Among Children
Arvind Kejriwal said it is the responsibility of all of us to carry forward the martyrdom of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib from generation to generation. We must tell our children about his martyrdom. His martyrdom must reach everyone so that we can be inspired by his martyrdom and shape our lives according to his message. Expressing his happiness, Arvind Kejriwal said that the yatra will depart from Srinagar on Wednesday and will reach Anandpur Sahib on the night of November 22nd. He considered himself fortunate to be present with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the start of this yatra. He prays to Guru Sahib to bless you all with abundant happiness, good health, and keep your families happy.
Bhagwant Mann said that after reading history books, he learned how Tyagmal became Tegh Bahadur, the journey from Baba Bakale to Guru Lado Re, and then Lakhi Shah Banjara cremating Guru Sahib’s mortal remains by setting his house on fire. Bhai Jaita Ji (later known as Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji) endured great difficulties bringing the head from Delhi to Amritsar. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gifted him a book. These sacrifices are no small feat. Today’s generation may not fully understand them due to the changing media. Therefore, information about these sacrifices should be conveyed to the next generation while maintaining dignity through modern methods like light and sound shows and YouTube.
Bhagwant Mann further said that such examples are unmatched anywhere in the world. The leader of martyrs, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, sacrificed everything to protect the Kashmiri Pandits. A group led by Pandit Kripa Ram Ji came to Delhi, and Guru Sahib accepted their prayers. Bhai Seva Singh Ji narrated the details, and we grew up listening to the stories of Bhai Hajendra Singh Ji Srinagar Wale and Bhai Balwinder Singh Ji Rangeela. As a child, I would listen to the stories of Bhai Mati Das Ji and, at a young age, would connect two speakers to listen to religious kirtans. Today, we pay tribute to Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Dayala Ji, and Bhai Sati Das Ji.
Punjab Govt Expands Sikh History Education to Inspire Future Generations
Bhagwant Mann said that previously, the school curriculum only included a ten-point essay on Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Now, the Punjab government is incorporating Guru Sahib’s biography into the entire curriculum so that children learn that four of the five brothers also sacrificed their lives. Guru Sahib did not perform any miracles, but stood for the truth. Makhan Shah Lubana recognised the true Guru by offering 500 gold coins. A ship stranded at a port in Gujarat was freed by Guru Sahib’s grace. The story of Mata Bhag Kaur Ji also inspires reverence. Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed his four Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji. There is hardly any other family that has made such sacrifices.
Bhagwant Mann said that langar is a blessing from Guru Sahib. Whether it’s the Sri Lankan tsunami or the Turkish earthquake, Sikh langar is the first to arrive after the Red Cross. The Punjab government has identified 109 villages and towns that touched the feet of Guru Sahib. Lakhs of rupees are being spent on development work in these villages. The life of Guru Sahib is being depicted through kirtan and light and sound shows. Kirtan groups are travelling to Faridkot, Bathinda, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Bhagwant Mann said that awards like Padma Shri do not enhance the dignity of these great ragi jathas, but rather, they enhance the prestige of ragi awards. Nothing is greater than the truth. Speaking the truth requires no memory; liars have to remember their previous lies every time. Surjit Patar has written that one should not speak so much truth that one is left alone. It is difficult to find people to carry the funeral procession of a truth-teller. Guru Sahib made sacrifices to free us from worldly temptations, but we are trapped in them again.
Bhagwant Mann said that the time spent on such gatherings is most precious. The Punjab government has opened its treasury for these events. No shortage in the budget will be allowed. The entire cabinet, including the Speaker of the Assembly, will be in Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 23, 24, and 25. Kirtan jathas will arrive on November 22. On the 23rd, there will be an all-religion conference and Akhand Path. On the 24th, for the first time, a special session of the Assembly will be held in Sri Anandpur Sahib, where historic decisions will be taken. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will also attend. All issues will be discussed in detail.
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