Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today exhorted the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narenda Modi to commemorate such events of historical importance related to any religion or community at national level in order to imbibe the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, communal harmony and brotherhood amongst the countrymen.Addressing the mammoth gathering on the valedictory function of 300th martyrdom anniversary of legendary Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, presided over by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, here in at jam packed Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium, the Chief Minister said that such events of immense historical significance should be organized at national level so that as to apprise the people of our country especially the youngsters about our glorious cultural heritage. He said that this endeavor would go a long way in reinforcing our ethos of integrity, unity in diversity and cultural affinity. Mr. Badal impressed upon the Prime Minister to commemorate the martyrdom day of ninth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji at national level. He said that Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji was an exponent of religious freedom who laid down his life to safeguard the religious rights of the countrymen, who were subjected to oppression, tyranny and injustice unleashed by the then Mughal Empire.
Calling upon the people to follow the teachings of the legendary Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in the right earnest, the Chief Minister said that it would be a real tribute to the iconic hero on his 300th martyrdom anniversary. He said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s rare sacrifice in the annals of Indian History laid the foundation of Indian Freedom movement with establishing the first Sikh Raj way back in 1710. Mr. Badal also mentioned that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur issued commemorative coins in the name of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. “Above all, he was a true champion of oppressed sections of the society especially the farmers upon whom he bestowed the ownership rights thereby abolishing the Zamindari system” he added.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that the Sikhs could only create history but unfortunately could not preserve their rich cultural heritage adding he said it was an established fact that those nations which tend to forget their history were either perished or decimated for times to come. Mr. Badal apprised the Prime Minister that the Punjab was the only state which had not only preserved the legacy of Sikh Panth but also other religions and communities besides showcasing the immense contribution of several unsung heroes of national Freedom Struggle to demonstrate the real spirit of secularism and patriotism. He mentioned few of important memorials viz. Virasat-e-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Jang-e-Azadi Memorial at Kartarpur (Jalandhar), Bhagwan Valmik Tirath Sathal at Amritsar and Guru Ravidass Memorial at Khuralgarh (Hoshiarpur).The Chief Minister said that Sikhism propagated the true model of socialism. He said that the foundation of Sri Harmandir Sahib was laid down by the Muslim Seer Sai Mian Mir to foster the concept of secularism and its four entrances reflected the equality of mankind.
Thanking the Prime Minister for making special allocation of Rs 100 crore for the commemoration of 350th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Chief Minister said that it was really a great gesture by the Government of India to propagate the life and philosophy of tenth Guru of Sikhs not only in the country but across the globe. He said that a series of programs would be organized throughout the country especially at Patna Sahib, the birth place of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji which was likely to be attended by lakhs of devotees from every nook and corner of world. Mr. Badal said that all of us were fortunate enough to celebrate these memorable events during our lifetime. He said that our government has already made a budgetary provision of equal amount of Rs 100 crore for celebrating this mega event in an unsurpassable manner with full religious fervor and gaiety.
In his address, the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi highly appreciated the state government for organizing this mega event on the 300th martyrdom anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur to keep our countrymen abreast about his enormous contribution to uplift the poor peasantry and oppressed sections of society. Mr. Modi pointed out that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a true votary of democratic values as he issued coins not in his name rather in the names of first and tenth Sikh Gurus, Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, thereby departing from the prevalent practice of kingship.
The Prime Minister felicitated the entire Sikh community on the yearlong 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and said that the Government of India (GoI) had already earmarked Rs 100 crore for celebrations in a befitting manner. He said that a national level committee was being constituted to chalk out the program for commemorating this memorable event.
Earlier in his address, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal lambasted the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for hatching conspiracies to defame Punjab and bring disrepute to the state just to bolster their poll prospects in 2017 assembly polls. Calling both these parties, anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a very deep rooted conspiracy is underway to brand the entire youth of Punjab as drug addicts where as the truth is that the youth of the state is marching ahead and looking forward towards making a name for itself in agricultural, skill development, social, economic as well as political field.Paying tributes to Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur was a great general, true and devout Sikh of the guru and a champion of the causes of farmers who gave the ownership of land to the cultivators thus heralding a new chapter in the history of mankind. He said that Punjabi’s and Sikhs have inherited the legacy of Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur and have carved out a niche for themselves throughout the globe where in many of the countries they are occupying top positions especially in Canada where five People of Punjabi origin are serving as cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
Dwelling on the role of Sikhs and Punjabi’s in freedom struggle, he disclosed that out of 121 people hanged by the british, 93 were Sikhs. Majority of the freedom fighters who had to undergo life imprisonment and suffer innumerable hardships were Sikhs and Punjabi’s. He also said that after freedom also the brave punjabi’s made every sacrifice for the sake of the nation’s integrity.Calling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the second oldest party in the polity of the nation, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that whereas the party made a valuable contribution during the freedom struggle after independence too, it was in the forefront of pro-people movement especially the emergency when its numerous workers and tallest leaders most importantly S. Parkash Singh Badal chose to undergo hardships of imprisonment to protect constitutional values.Elaborating upon the welfare and progress oriented initiatives of the SAD-BJP government in Punjab during previous 9 years, he said that the Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had given priority to conserve cultural heritage of the state for posterity by spending Rs. 1000 crore on the memorials of the martyrs of every community besides observing religious days of all the religions which is an ample proof of the SAD-BJP government’s commitment to secularism. He also announced that the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji would be observed with much fanfare in January, 2017.
Divulging more, he said that Punjab has become a leading player in key economic sectors such as mushroom, kinnow, GDP production, tractors, combines, hosiery, ready garments, handtools, per capita income and sports equipments. Exhorting people to be beware of the forces inimical to the hard earned peace of the Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that such forces must be given befitting reply through the ballot.On the occasion, the Prime Minister accompanied by Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister released a pictorial book on the life and philosophy of valiant Skh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ji. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister along with other eminent Sikh dignitaries felicitated the Prime Minister with a sword, siropa, shawl and replica of commemorative coins issued by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ji.On the occasion, President DSGMC Mr Manjeet Singh GK and General Secretary Mr Manjinder Singh Sirsa welcomed the dignitaries.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Punjab Governor Prof Kaptaan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister Haryana Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of state Mr. Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Jathedar Tota Singh, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal and Mr Anil Joshi, Lok Sabha MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra and Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Rajya Sabha MP Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr Sarvesh Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretaries Mr. KBS Sidhu and Mr. NS Kalsi, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Director Mr. NPS Randhawa and Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh.