The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the 350th Martyrdom Year (Shaheedi Samagam) of ‘Hind di Chadar’ Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji today. Paying his respects, the Prime Minister stated that today we all remember the great Guru on this significant anniversary and expressed that it is a matter of great fortune to be part of such a historic and sacred event.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India's history is defined by bravery, harmony, and cooperation. He noted that through this event on the soil of Maharashtra,we are witnessing that very legacy. He remarked that during the era when the Gurus reached the pinnacle of sacrifice, social unity played a significant role, as people from every section drew inspiration from them to remain unwavering for truth and culture. “Traditions like the ‘Guru Nanak Naam-leva Sangat’ of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji were instrumental in that great yajna of social unity”, Highlighted Shri Modi.
Highlighting the importance of national cohesion, the Prime Minister noted that today, when the country once again needs social unity the most, this wonderful gathering of the ‘Sangat’ ,reassures the nation that the blessings of the Gurus and Saints are with us.
The Prime Minister described the Samagam as a continuous journey that began last year in Nagpur and deepened on the historic land of ‘Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded’. “In Navi Mumbai, this journey has reached a significant milestone, taking the history of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji to every corner of Maharashtra, reaching thousands of villages and settlements”, emphasised Shri Modi. The Prime Minister specially congratulated the Government of Maharashtra for organizing this program.
Recalling recent commemorations, the Prime Minister mentioned his privilege in attending an event in Kurukshetra, Haryana, and stated that the Union Government is celebrating every historic occasion related to the Guru Sahibs at the national level. Shri Modi listed milestones such as the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, marked by a commemorative postage stamp and special coin, and the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, noting that every occasion is celebrated with full devotion. He also highlighted the new national tradition of celebrating ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ annually in honor of the ‘Sahibzadas’.
The Prime Minister highlighted major achievements including the completion of the ‘Kartarpur Sahib Corridor’ in record time and the creation of new facilities for the ‘Sri Hemkund Sahib Yatra’. “ The government has provided relief under FCRA to organizations associated with Sikh bodies and Gurdwaras, while also ensuring Sikh history finds its rightful place in school curricula and cultural discourse, fulfilling tasks that the community had awaited for decades”, Shri Modi remarked.
Reiterating the government's commitment to respect and justice, the Prime Minister mentioned the formation of an SIT to investigate the 1984 riots and the reopening of closed cases, which led to punishments for the guilty. He also spoke about the additional compensation announced for the families of the 1984 victims and the more active role given to the National Commission for Minorities.
The Prime Minister spoke about the government's "mission mode" work regarding the safety of Sikh brothers in Afghanistan and the respectful return of the ‘Swaroop’ (forms) of the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’. “ The government cleared the way for citizenship for Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, provided relief through the CAA to persecuted refugees, and implemented rehabilitation packages for Sikh families in Jammu and Kashmir”, Shri Modi highlighted. PM Modi stated that OCI and visa rules were simplified, and thousands of names were removed from the blacklist to ease travel for overseas Sikhs.
The Prime Minister remarked, “respecting the faith of the Sikh community and creating new opportunities for their progress is considered both a responsibility and a privilege of service by the government”.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister stated that the spirit of standing with courage and truth is as relevant today as it was in the past. “When the new generation connects with these values, tradition becomes a path to the future rather than just a memory”, Shri Modi emphasised. “The purpose of the Samagam is not just to remember history, but to internalize it in one’s conduct”, the Prime Minister concluded.
