Punjab to honour Guru Teg Bahadur’s legacy

The Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave nod to a series of events to be organized by the state government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji in a befitting manner.

Chairing a meeting here at his official residence, the Chief Minister reiterated that that the state government is duty bound to organize a series of events to observe the 350th martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji on a massive level. He said that the state government will establish a chair in Punjabi University (Patiala) for research work on the life and philosophy of Guru Sahib. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a booklet on the history of Guru Sahib will also be released along with another booklet on Bani of Guru Sahib.

The Chief Minister also gave approval to organize the Under-17 football tournament at Sri Anandpur Sahib besides World Peace Conference and World Interfaith Conference across the state. Similarly, he said seminars will also be organized in various districts of Punjab as a tribute to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji’s unparalleled and unique sacrifice that will ever remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this coupled with a series of other functions will be organized across the state and comprehensive development of places having the footsteps of the Guru Sahib will be ensured.

The Chief Minister said that the department of Sports, Higher Education, Tourism and culture, Information and Public Relations along with others will zealously organize seminars, conferences, kirtan Darbars, light and sound shows, publish books and others to commemorate the event. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a Yatra will be undertaken from Jammu to Delhi via Baba Bakala and Sri Anandpur Sahib to perpetuate the glorious legacy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji- who was the first proponent of human rights across the globe. He further said that major push will be given to infrastructure development at 63 places having footprints of Guru Sahib in districts including Roopnagar, Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, SAS Nagar and others.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will spruce up these sacred places of immense historical importance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that apart from this the state government will also urge the Government of India to issue a Commemorative postal stamp on Guru Teg Bahadur ji. He said Guru ji popularly known as ‘Hind di Chadar’ was the saviour of Dharma and crusader of religious freedom.

The Chief Minister said that it was immensely important for everyone to respect all the religions thereby fostering the bonds of communal harmony, peace, national integration and unity. He said that Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji laid down his life at the altar of righteousness (Dharma) to save the Hindu religion from the tyranny of Mughals. He said that entire humanity seeks inspiration from Guru Teg Bahadur ji’s supreme sacrifice for the welfare of humanity while fighting against injustice, cruelty and oppression.