President Droupadi Murmu Pays Tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at the Red Fort

New Delhi, 25 November 2025 : Honourable President Smt. Droupadi Murmu visited Delhi’s historic Red Fort grounds today to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. The President paid obeisance to Guru Sahib, offered her heartfelt tributes, bowed before Sri Guru Granth Sahib and expressed deep reverence for the occasion. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, distinguished members of the Sikh community and a large number of devotees were also present at this special religious congregation.

Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said that the overwhelming turnout of devotees on the concluding day was deeply moving. She noted that such an event was being organised for the first time in Delhi’s history, with lakhs of devotees participating over the three-day congregation.

The Chief Minister announced that the event marks only the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Over the coming year, the Delhi Government, in collaboration with the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, will organise programmes across various parts of the city to spread Guru Sahib’s teachings and his message of harmony to the public. She added that special books will be published to introduce Guru Sahib’s life, ideals and supreme sacrifice to children and young people.

She further announced that a dedicated ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur Forest’ will be developed, where saplings will be planted to grow into large trees, contributing significantly to environmental conservation in the years ahead. The Chief Minister also emphasised that the government is working towards launching several public welfare schemes in Guru Sahib’s name.

Extending her heartfelt salutations to the devotees who had travelled from across India and abroad, the Chief Minister said that the Red Fort’s ancient walls had witnessed both Aurangzeb’s tyranny and the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Today, she said, lakhs of devotees gathering on the same sacred ground to bow before Guru Sahib symbolised spiritual devotion and emotional unity.

She added that it was by Guru Sahib’s blessing that the Delhi Government received the privilege to serve during this historic congregation. Serving devotees who had come from every corner of the country was, she said, an immense honour. Referring to the continuous renditions of divine hymns and kirtan over the last three days, the Chief Minister noted that the entire atmosphere had been filled with unparalleled spiritual fervour.

Earlier today, on the final day of the three-day congregations at the Red Fort, more than one lakh Sahaj Paths were collectively completed by devotees as a tribute to the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. The Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib also took part in today’s proceedings.

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee additionally organised a grand Nagar Kirtan to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, and his three devoted disciples Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Diala Ji. The Nagar Kirtan commenced from Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib, led by the Panj Pyare, and proceeded through Ajmeri Gate, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station, Connaught Place and Baba Kharak Singh Marg, before concluding at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

Sikh religious leaders present on the occasion said that this was a profoundly historic day, and they felt blessed to have had the opportunity to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. They added that the devotees participated in the Nagar Kirtan with immense reverence and devotion.