Guru Tegh Bahadur laid down his life to protect the faith, says CM Sai
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Raipur, September 20
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday joined the Nagar Kirtan procession at Serikhedi in the capital to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Paying homage, the CM said Guru Tegh Bahadur had made the supreme sacrifice to protect the nation and the faith. “It is our privilege that we are witnessing this holy procession on the soil of Chhattisgarh,” he said.
CM Shri Sai bowed before the Guru Granth Sahib and prayed for peace, prosperity and happiness of the people of the state. He honoured the Panj Pyaras leading the palki of the Guru Granth Sahib and was felicitated with a sacred Siropa and Kirpan.
Calling it a moment of pride for Chhattisgarh, CM Sai said the Nagar Kirtan had begun from Gurudwara Dhubri Sahib in Assam and travelled through several parts of the country before reaching Chhattisgarh. After covering nearly 10,000 kilometres, the procession arrived in Raipur. “For our people, this is a historic and blessed occasion to welcome and participate in the yatra,” he noted.
The CM recalled Guru Tegh Bahadur’s unparalleled martyrdom. “He never bowed to the Mughals and sacrificed his life to defend his faith. Even today, Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib at Chandni Chowk in Delhi stands as an eternal symbol of his sacrifice. We bow with reverence before Guru Tegh Bahadur,” he said.
CM Shri Sai also remembered the sacrifices of the four Sahibzadas, sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. “The Sahibzadas refused to surrender before the Mughals and instead embraced martyrdom to protect their faith. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saluting their bravery, declared December 26 to be observed every year as Veer Bal Diwas. The Chhattisgarh government has also decided to include Veer Bal Diwas in the school curriculum,” he announced.
The event was attended by MLA Sunil Soni, CSIDC Chairman Rajeev Agrawal, Chhattisgarh Minorities Commission Chairman Amarjeet Singh Chhabra, State Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Sanjay Srivastava, State Child Rights Protection Commission Chairperson Mrs. Varnika Sharma, former MLA Kuldeep Juneja, Dr. Purnendu Saxena, Baldev Singh Bhatia, Gurcharan Hora, and heads of Gurudwara committees. A large number of Sikh devotees and eminent citizens were also present.