CM Nayab Singh Saini Pays Tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Shaheedi Samagam in Yamunanagar

New Delhi, December 21 – On the occasion of the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini attended a grand ‘Shaheedi Samagam’ at Gurdwara Sahib Gobindpura, Bhamboli, in Yamunanagar as the Chief Guest and paid floral tributes to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Addressing the congregation, the Chief Minister said standing on this sacred land among the sangat filled his heart with reverence and pride. He said everyone had gathered to bow before a great legacy that not only safeguarded India’s identity but also showed humanity the path of offering everything for faith and truth. He said the Shaheedi Samagam was dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and the supreme sacrifices of Mata Gujri Ji and the four Sahibzadas. He added that the flow of Gurbani through eminent kirtani ‘jathas’ and ‘kathavachaks’ would not only spiritually uplift the sangat but also inspire the younger generation with the sacrifices of the Gurus and the brave Sahibzadas.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh for the Gurdwara Trust. The Gurdwara Trust honoured the Chief Minister with a siropa, a portrait of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and a sword.
The Chief Minister said that a large blood donation camp had been organised during the ‘samagam’, which reflected the teachings of the Gurus that service to humanity is the highest form of worship. He lauded the youth who came forward to donate blood and said that the blood donated by them could save precious lives. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Baba Jasdeep Singh and the organisers for successfully conducting the samagam.

He said that the martyrdom of the family of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is regarded as the greatest sacrifice in world history. Remembering the martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji at the tender ages of 6 and 9 years, he said that whenever they are remembered, the words “Nikkiya Jinda Vadda Saka” spontaneously come to one’s lips.

The Chief Minister said that there is no parallel in world history where innocent children accepted being bricked alive for the protection of faith but refused to bow down. He said within a single week—from 20th to 27th December, 1704—all members of the Guru’s family laid down their lives for the protection of faith and humanity, a week that will remain etched forever in the annals of history. This sacrifice, he said, teaches that bravery is not dependent on age. He highlighted how Mata Gujri Ji, despite enduring the freezing conditions of imprisonment, instilled unwavering faith in her grandsons, becoming an eternal source of inspiration for mothers and sisters even today.

He further recalled that at the Battle of Chamkaur Sahib, Baba Ajit Singh Ji, aged just 17, and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, aged 15, fought valiantly against the Mughal army and attained martyrdom.

He said the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas would continue to inspire generations with patriotism. Keeping this in mind, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi decided to observe the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas every year as Veer Bal Diwas, which is commemorated across the country on 26th December with deep reverence. He said the more one reads, hears and understands the story of the sacrifices of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s family, the more one is inspired to make the greatest sacrifices in the interest of the nation.

He noted that Shaheedi Jor Melas are organised not only in Punjab but across the country and abroad every year from 20th to 27th December. During this period, special events are held at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, where devotees pay homage to the martyrs by sleeping on the ground.

The Chief Minister said that the spirit of sacrificing for the nation and faith was inherited by the children of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji from their lineage, as their grandfather Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had also laid down his head for the protection of faith and righteousness. This year marks the 350th year of his martyrdom. He said that the very mention of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji brings to mind a great soul who did not limit religion to rituals but linked it with rights and freedom. When atrocities were being inflicted on Hindus in Kashmir and attempts were made to erase tilak and janeu at the point of the sword, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji fearlessly proclaimed that saving tilak and janeu would require the sacrifice of a great soul.

He said the Haryana Government is working to spread the teachings and principles of the Gurus to the masses. Numerous programmes were organised across Haryana from Haryana Day (1st November) to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom day (25th November). He said it was a matter of pride that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi participated in the state-level ceremony held at Kurukshetra on 25th November, paid homage to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, released a commemorative postage stamp and coin, and unveiled a coffee table book based on the Guru’s life to spread his teachings.

The Chief Minister said under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unprecedented importance has been accorded to Sikh heritage, great personalities, Guru Gaddis and historical sites over the past 11 years, making it an integral part of national policy. He said the Haryana Government has undertaken several significant initiatives to honour the Sikh community, Sikh history and the Guru tradition.

He stated that a Chair for research on Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has been established at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, which will give new direction to research traditions. On 11th November, the Government Polytechnic, Ambala, was named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He announced that the medical college being constructed in Yamunanagar has been named after ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He further said that the Haryana Government has decided to provide jobs to one member each of 121 Haryana families who lost their relatives during the 1984 riots. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established in December 2022, granting autonomy to the Sikh community in Haryana.

He added that a college at Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. On 27th June 2024, 70 kanals of land were transferred to Gurdwara Sri Chilla Sahib, Sirsa. A VLDA College has been established at Lakhnaur Sahib in the name of Mata Gujri Ji. On 27 October, the foundation stone of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial was laid at Lohgarh, Yamunanagar. Under the Golden Jubilee Guru Darshan Yatra Scheme, financial assistance is being provided to pilgrims from Haryana visiting Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkund Sahib and Sri Patna Sahib.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister once again bowed to the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Mata Gujri Ji and the Sahibzadas, and called upon everyone to take a pledge to protect the nation and faith in their spirit, stating that this would be the truest tribute to them. He also thanked the Managing Committee of Gurdwara Sahib Gobindpura.

On the occasion, Shyam Singh Rana, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare;Rajesh Sapra, BJP District President; former Cabinet Minister  Kanwar Pal; former MLAs Balwant Singh and Bishan Lal Saini; Banto Kataria, State President, BJP Mahila Morcha;  Preeti, Deputy Commissioner;  Kamaldeep Goyal, Superintendent of Police;  Naveen Ahuja, Additional Deputy Commissioner; Vishwanath, SDM Jagadhri;  Harjit Singh Sindhu,  Gurmel Singh Sindhu, other officers and a large number of devotees were present.