Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur on Tuesday, marking the 350th anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru's martyrdom during a special event organized by the Haryana government in Kurukshetra's Jyotisar village.
Historic Tribute to Spiritual Legacy
The Prime Minister began his address with the traditional Sikh greeting "Jo Bole So Nihaal" and expressed his awe at the significant spiritual journey he had undertaken. "This morning, I was in the land of Ramayana, in Ayodhya, and now I am in the land of Bhagavad Gita, Kurukshetra, to pay tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji," Modi stated, highlighting the profound cultural connections between India's diverse spiritual traditions.
Modi emphasized that Guru Tegh Bahadur considered the protection of truth, justice, and faith as his fundamental dharma and ultimately sacrificed his life defending these principles. The Prime Minister described the Guru's life as an enduring inspiration for all Indians.
Fearless Resistance Against Oppression
The Prime Minister spoke at length about Guru Tegh Bahadur's extraordinary courage and penance during the Mughal era. He detailed how the Guru challenged Aurangzeb's policies of forced religious conversions, remained steadfast despite facing both temptations and brutal torture, witnessed the martyrdom of his companions without wavering, and ultimately offered his head in defense of dharma.
Drawing parallels between Kurukshetra's spiritual significance and the Guru's sacrifice, Modi noted: "This is the land where Shri Krishna said it is noble to sacrifice one's life in the defence of one's dharma on the path of truth. Guru Tegh Bahadur also saw the defence of truth, justice and faith as his dharma and he sacrificed his life for it."
Contemporary Relevance and Government Policy
Prime Minister Modi connected Guru Tegh Bahadur's teachings to contemporary India's approach to national security and international relations. "India has followed Guruji's principle of offering brotherhood to the world but not compromising with its security. Operation Sindoor is the biggest example of this," he declared.
The Prime Minister underscored his government's commitment to following the same "guru parampara" (guru tradition) established by the Sikh Gurus. "We want peace but do not make any compromise with our security. The whole world has seen that the new India neither gets scared nor is it cowed by terrorism. Today, India is surging ahead with full strength, courage, and clarity," Modi asserted.
He concluded by emphasizing that the teachings of the Sikh Gurus form the foundation of India's character, culture, and spirit, and that his government remains dedicated to implementing these eternal principles in governance and national development.
