'India standing firm due to sacrifices by Gurus like Tegh Bahadur Ji': PM Modi addresses nation from Red Fort

PM Modi addressed the nation from the lawns of the Red Fort and not its ramparts.

The fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, in 1675, according to officials of the culture ministry.

Addressing the nation, PM Modi said that it was due to the sacrifices made by Gurus like him that India was standing firm, despite the atrocities of tyrannical rulers like Aurangzeb.

The PM also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion.

"Aurangzeb and other such atrocious rulers may have severed our heads, but they could not separate our faith from us. The sacrifice made by Guru Tegh Bahadur ji inspired many generations of India to perish to protect our culture. Many great powers disappeared, the big storms calmed down. But India still stands immortal today," the PM said.

Recalling the times of Aurangzeb, the Prime Minister said that there was a wave of religious fanaticism in the country during those times. "Our India that considered religion to be a matter of philosophy, science and research of the Self, had to face the people, who crossed all limits of violence and atrocities in the name of religion," he added.

India saw a great hope to save its identity in Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. He stood like a rock in front of Aurangzeb's tyrannical thinking, noted the PM.

He said that Aurangzeb may have tortured generations, but the valour of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji inspired the nation to stand up against such atrocities. "From time immemorial, whenever our nation faced any atrocity, some great soul rose up and led the nation," he added.

The Prime Minister also spoke on the initiatives taken by his government to honour the Sikh Gurus.

Modi said that in 2019, India had the honour to celebrate the 550th Prakash Parv of Gurunanak Dev Ji and in 2017, it celebrated Guru Gobind ji's 350th Prakash Parv with fervour.

"Our government has laid the foundation to connect places related to Guru Gobind ji through railways. Last year, our government decided to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas on December 26, in the memory of the great sacrifice of Sahibzadas," he said.

"Our country is moving forward with full devotion on the ideals of our Gurus. It is because of their sacrifices that we are living peacefully in this great nation," he added.

Modi said that the peace he felt listening to Shabad Keertan at the feet of Guru cannot be explained in words.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

[With UNI inputs]