Global Punjabi Association honours the Chief Minister for his efforts towards social harmony and the welfare of the Sikh community
Chief Minister releases the book 'Tilak Janju Ka Rakha' based on the life and sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was today honoured with the prestigious “Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award” by the “Global Punjabi Association.” This honour was conferred upon him in recognition of his inspiring leadership, commitment to social harmony, and continuous efforts for the welfare of the Sikh community in Haryana.
The Chief Minister attended the programme held at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, the Chief Minister paid obeisance to Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and said that today’s occasion is highly inspirational for him as we are witnessing the release of a book based on the life of “Hind Ki Chadar,” the Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released the Hindi book “Tilak Janju Ka Rakha,” authored by Dr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chief Patron of the Global Punjabi Association. The book is an in-depth, research-based account of the life, travels, and supreme sacrifice of the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of humanity and freedom of religion
Saini, in his address, said that in the history of India, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a name that stands for the protection of humanity and religious freedom, for which he even sacrificed his life. During the reign of Aurangzeb, when circumstances were so difficult that sitting on the Guru’s throne meant enmity with the emperor, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji accepted the Guru’s position with fearlessness and dedication.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb, through his tyranny, tried to convert Hindus to Islam, he ordered the destruction of temples and banned the construction of new ones. When the Kashmiri Pandits faced this injustice, they approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the protection of their faith. Upon hearing their plight, the Guru said that only a great soul’s sacrifice could save their religion. Hearing this, the nine-year-old child Gobind Rai (later Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji) said, “Father, who could be a greater soul than you? Why don’t you offer your own sacrifice?”
Saini said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, upon hearing his son’s words, told the Pandits to go and tell Aurangzeb, “If Guru Tegh Bahadur accepts Islam, we shall all accept Islam too.” For the protection of Hinduism, on November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his head. He gave his life but did not abandon his faith.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb ordered the beheading of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Bhai Jaita resolved to carry the Guru’s head to Shri Anandpur Sahib. When the Mughal army pursued Bhai Jaita, he met a disciple of the Guru named Kushal in village Badhkhalsa of district Sonipat. Kushal told him, “My face resembles that of the Guru Ji, so you may cut off my head and hand it over to the Mughal army.” Thus, Kushal sacrificed his head, and Bhai Jaita successfully carried Guru Ji’s head to Shri Anandpur Sahib.
At the initiative of the Prime Minister, ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ is celebrated every year in memory of the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas
Haryana has a deep connection with all the Sikh Gurus
Saini said that from the First Guru, Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the Tenth Guru, Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, all Sikh Gurus have taught us lessons of service, equality, and courage. The sacred land of Haryana has had a deep association with all the Sikh Gurus. Wherever they visited, Gurudwaras have been established in their memory at more than 30 locations. He said that inspired by the Sikh tradition, the Haryana Government is working with a spirit of service for the welfare of all communities.
The Chief Minister said that in Haryana, the 550th Prakash Purb of Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the 350th Prakash Purb of Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji were celebrated in a grand manner. At every step, our double-engine government has worked with devotion and respect. He said that in December 2022, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Sikh community, thereby granting them autonomy in Haryana. A decision was taken to transfer 70 kanals of land to Gurdwara Shri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa on June 27, 2024, and it has been handed over to the Gurdwara Sahib. The upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar has been named after “Hind Ki Chadar” Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The college at Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji. A VLDA College has been established in Lakhnaur Sahib in the name of Mata Gujri. The ‘Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana’ has been launched to provide financial assistance to pilgrims from the state visiting sacred places like Shri Hazur Sahib, Shri Nankana Sahib, Shri Hemkund Sahib, and Shri Patna Sahib.