Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann joined devotees at Gurdwara Sri Chatti Patshahi Sahib in Srinagar to honour the 350th ‘Shaheedi Diwas’ (martyrdom day) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, immersing the gathering in a deeply spiritual commemoration. The AAP Chief reminded the Sangat that Guru Sahib’s sacrifice stands unmatched in human history, recalling how he offered his life at Chandni Chowk to uphold Dharma and protect the oppressed.
Announcing that the commemorative yatra will set out from Srinagar on Wednesday and reach Anandpur Sahib on 22 November, Arvind Kejriwal urged people to participate in the Punjab Government’s programmes in large numbers, saying such a sacred moment calls for collective devotion. The entire Punjab cabinet and numerous dignitaries joined the occasion, adding to the solemnity of the event.
Addressing the sangat, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “I consider myself extremely fortunate that I have been given the opportunity to visit such a sacred place. I have come to Srinagar for the first time. People usually come to Srinagar for tourism or work, but I am fortunate that my first visit to Srinagar is to have ‘darshan’ at this holy site.”
Recalling the significance of the gathering, Arvind Kejriwal said, “All of us have come together on the occasion of 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj, a profoundly sacred soul. He is known as ‘Shaheed Ke Sartaaj’, the ‘Hind Ki Chadar’. I believe his sacrifice is unparalleled in human history across the world and across all faiths.”
“We all know how Kashmiri Pandits were facing severe atrocities. They reached Anandpur Sahib and sought Guruji Maharaj’s help, and to protect the ‘dharm’ of Hindus, Guruji Maharaj made the supreme sacrifice at Chandni Chowk. Such sacrifice and martyrdom is not seen anywhere in recorded history,” he asserted.
The AAP Chief expressed, “I bow to his martyrdom, all of us bow to him, we honour him, and on this occasion the Punjab government has organised multiple programmes. I request, appeal and invite all of you to visit Anandpur Sahib in large numbers and participate in all the different programmes. This is our responsibility, and we should tell our children and ensure these teachings reach everyone so that we draw inspiration from his sacrifice and shape our lives according to his message. I invite everyone to come to Anandpur Sahib on this sacred occasion.”
Pointing to the commencement of the yatra, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I express happiness that the yatra will depart from Srinagar on Wednesday and will reach Anandpur Sahib on the night of 22 November. At the beginning of this yatra, I also had the opportunity to be present along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. I consider myself fortunate for this. I pray to Guru Sahib to bless all of you with immense happiness, keep you healthy and keep your families happy.”
Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann stated, “When I read history books, I learnt how Tyagmal became Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. From Baba Bakala to Guru Ladho Re, and then how Lakhi Shah Banjara set his own house on fire to perform the final rites of Guru Sahib’s physical body. Bhai Jaita Ji, who was later known as Bhai Jivan Singh Ji, brought the sacred head from Delhi to Amritsar after facing immense difficulties. Guru Sri Gobind Singh presented him with a book. These sacrifices are not small. Today’s generation may not fully understand them because mediums have changed, which is why through modern methods like light and sound shows and YouTube, the knowledge of these sacrifices should reach the next generation.”
Recalling unparalleled sacrifices, Bhagwant Mann said, “Such examples are not found anywhere else in the world. ‘Shaheedo Ke Sartaaj’ Sri Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed everything to protect the Kashmiri Pandits. Under the leadership of Pandit Kripa Ram, the ‘jatha’ came to Delhi and Guru Sahib accepted their ardas. Bhai Seva Singh Ji explained everything in detail, and we grew up listening to the stories narrated by Bhai Hajendra Singh Ji from Srinagar and Bhai Balvinder Singh Ji Rangeela. As a child, after hearing the story of Bhai Mati Das Ji, I would join together two ‘manjas’ and set up speakers to listen to kirtan. Today, we pay tribute to Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Dayala Ji and Bhai Sati Das Ji.”
Pointing to changes in curriculum, he continued, “Earlier, the school syllabus contained only a single ten-marks essay on Guru Sri Teg Bahadur Ji. Now the Punjab government is including the full biography of Guru Sahib throughout the syllabus so that children know that four out of the five brothers also made sacrifices. Guru Sahib did not show any miracles, he stood for truth. Makkhan Shah Labana Ji recognised the true Guru by offering 500 gold coins. The ship stuck at the Gujarat port was freed by the grace of Guru Sahib. The story of Mata Bhag Kaur Ji also inspires devotion. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also had his four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji make sacrifices. There may hardly be any family which has given so much.”
Highlighting the tradition of langar, the Punjab CM added, “Langar is Guru Sahib’s blessing. Whether it was the Sri Lanka tsunami or the Turkey earthquake, after the Red Cross, Sikh langar reaches first. The Punjab government has identified 109 villages and towns touched by the feet of Guru Sahib. Lakhs of rupees are being spent on development works in these villages. The life of Guru Sahib is being shown in these villages through kirtan and light and sound shows. Kirtan jathas are also going to Faridkot, Bathinda, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib.”
Emphasising truth and integrity, he said, “Awards like Padma Shri do not enhance the dignity of these great ‘ragi jathas’, rather they enhance the honour of the awards. Nothing is greater than truth. When you speak the truth, there is no need to remember anything. Those who lie must remember their previous lies every time. Surjit Patar has written that one should not speak so much truth that one ends up alone. Even for the ‘janaza’ of a truth-speaker, it becomes difficult to find shoulders. Guru Sahib gave sacrifices to free us from worldly illusions, but we became trapped in it once again.”
Outlining the upcoming programmes, Bhagwant Mann added, “The time taken out for such ‘samagam(s)’ is the most precious. The Punjab government has opened its treasury for these events. There will be no shortage of budget. The entire Cabinet and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will be in Sri Anandpur Sahib on 23, 24 and 25 November. On 22 November, the kirtan jathas will arrive. 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 Legislative Assembly will be held in Sri Anandpur Sahib, in which historic decisions will be taken. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will also participate. All issues will be discussed in detail.”
