Punjab Outlook

Mumbai/Amritsar:A grand state-level function dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was organized by the Maharashtra Government at Yogi Hall in Dadar, Mumbai.This spiritual and cultural event was led by the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and the Head of Damdami Taksal, President of Sant Samaj, Sant Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa.
During the event, the new song “Hind Di Chadar” by renowned singer Dr. Satinder Sartaj, dedicated to the martyrdom and life story of Guru Sahib, was released.
According to Bhai Jaspal Singh Sidhu, head of the Sikh Coordination Committee, Sant Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa expressed his gratitude to the immense congregation that attended the event. He highly appreciated the Maharashtra government and especially Chief Minister Fadnavis for their unwavering devotion to the Gurus and the efforts made to commemorate their martyrdom in a memorable manner at the state level.
He said that this effort is not only a matter of pride for the Sikh community, but also an inspiration for the entire India as a symbol of religious tolerance, respect and national consciousness. He said that “our Guru family is not the protector of any one religion, but of all humanity,” and this message has become even more important in today’s times.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his emotional address, said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was the protector of not only Sikhism, but all Indian religions — that is why he is called the “Cloak of India”.
He said, “When Aurangzeb forced the Kashmiri Pandits to convert, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji laid down his life to protect them. His martyrdom raised the voice of truth against oppression and gave new spiritual strength to the Khalsa Panth.”
The Chief Minister said that “a society that forgets its history, its future becomes dark.”
He added that the freedom, religious expression and open air of faith that we are breathing today is the result of the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
He said that the martyrdom of Guru Sahib gives us the answer to today’s forces that try to divide us by teaching us a lesson of unity and tolerance.
He also said that this program brings together different communities — Sikh, Sindhi, Lubana, Sikligar, Banjara and Mohyal communities — under the common heritage of Guru Sahib. It is not just a living symbol of social unity, but also of India’s shared spiritual culture.
He said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a living symbol of universality – in which the hymns of many saints and devotees, including Sant Namdev Ji and Bhagat Ravidas Ji, have received respect.
The Maharashtra government is committed to passing on this invaluable heritage to future generations.
During the event, the “Hind Di Chadar – Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji 350th Martyrdom Celebration State Level Workshop” was launched. Along with this, a special website and historical publication (paper) based on topics related to the martyrdom of Guru Sahib was also inaugurated.
On this occasion, MLA Babu Singh Maharaj Rathod, Minister Girish Mahajan, Secretary of Minority Department Ruchesh Jayavanshi, Singer Dr. Satinder Sartaj, Mahant Sunil Maharaj, Swami Hiranand, Rameshwar Naik, Happy Singh (Member, State Minority Commission), Jaspal Singh Sidhu (Coordination Committee Head) and Malkit Singh Bal (Chairman, Punjabi Academy) along with many dignitaries were present.