Exhorting the people to follow the path shown by great Sikh Gurus, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged them to take a pledge for overcoming all the shortcomings whether social or religious by treading on this path.Addressing the gathering during a state level function to commemorate 350th birth anniversary of tenth master of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji here today, the Chief Minister said that the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Gobind Singh could act as a catalyst to unite the country. He said that the maladies like casteism and social inequality could be overcome easily by following the footsteps of great Sikh Guru. Mr. Badal said that they were fortunate to commemorate this momentous event during their lifetime, which was a humble effort to further strengthen the ethos of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity across the length and breadth of the country.The Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji made unparalleled contribution for upholding the age old traditions of secularism besides safeguarding the human rights and ensuring religious freedom thereby sacrificing everything including even his own family. He further said that Sikhism propagated the true model of socialism and secularism in the world. Mr. Badal said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was a repository of universal brotherhood, secularism and socialism to guide the destiny of mankind. He said that the fact that the foundation of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar was laid down by the Muslim prophet Sai Mian Mir to foster the concept of secularism and its four entrances symbolized the oneness of mankind.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular have inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and valour from the great Sikh Gurus, who taught them to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. Mr. Badal said that the 350th Parkash Utsav of the tenth Master of Divine Light, was being observed with great religious enthusiasm, devotion and dedication all over the world. He said that this function was a part of series of programs chalked out to commemorate this sacred occasion. “We are overwhelmed with the participation of Mr. Modi in this function at the birth place of Khalsa Panth” added Mr. Badal. The Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Gobind Singh gave message to humanity against forcible religious conversions by urging his father Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib to sacrifice at the altar of righteousness and justice. He said that to fight against this oppression zealously, the tenth Sikh Guru created Khalsa panth to empower the poor and underprivileged people to fight against injustice and tyranny unleashed by the mighty Mughals. Recalling the supreme message of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji to abrogate discrimination on the basis of caste, colour and creed, Mr. Badal said that Guru ji preached oneness of mankind by directing the Khalsa to partake Amrit from a single bowl. He said that in order to wipe out the menace of slavery, Guru ji sent Baba Banda Singh Bahadur to Punjab, who valiantly fought against mighty Mughals and defeated them to establish first Sikh Raj thereby accomplishing the missionary task assigned by Guru ji.
Addressing the gathering the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Guru Sahiban have bestowed a great legacy to the entire humanity and the preservation of which is an article of faith with the SAD-BJP government in the state.Divulging more, he said the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib occupies a very significant spot in the psyche of the people of Punjab as it was at this place in 1699 that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the ‘Khalsa’ to protect humanity from tyrannical forces. The Deputy Chief Minister also disclosed that the state government has constructed memorials belonging to all the religions in the state to guide the young generation about the rich and glorious culture as well as historical heritage of the state.Terming the inauguration of 2nd phase of Virasat-E-Khalsa as a historic occasion, he also said only those communities leave their footprints on the sands of time which remember their martyrs and historical roots. He also announced that the 350th Birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji would be celebrated in a grand manner and the SAD-BJP government would leave no stone unturned to make it a success. The Deputy CM divulged that the Union Government has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for the purpose. Mr. Badal called upon all to follow the principles of secularism, raising voice against tyranny, love towards humanity and compassion as a true tribute to the Guru Sahiban.
In his address Union Minister of state and Punjab BJP Chief Mr. Vijay Sampla thanked the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for sparing his time to attend this sacred function on this holy land. He said that Mr. Modi’s visit about 17 years after Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2016 reflects the special affection of Prime Minister with the state. Mr. Sampla also lauded the Punjab government for preserving the rich history of the state by constructing several memorials. He lauded the Prime Minister for restoring the pristine glory of the country by taking several path breaking initiatives. Earlier, the Prime Minister accompanied by Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of state and Punjab BJP Chief and several other dignitaries paid obeisance at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib where Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Mall Singh felicitated them by presenting Robe of honour (Siropa) and sword.Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema conducted the proceedings of the stage.Prominent amongst present on the occasion Cabinet Ministers Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal and Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Lok Sabha MP Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, President Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar and General Secretary SGPC Mr. Amarjeet Singh Chawla, Jathedar Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Mall Singh Jathedar and Takht Sri Patna Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh.