Guru Tegh Bahadur's Valour Against Aurangzeb Shows How India Fights Terror: PM Modi On Gurupurab

PM Modi said that Guru Tegh Bahadur's valor and his sacrifice against Aurangzeb teach us how the country fights against terror and religious fanaticism.

PM Modi addressed Gurupurab celebrations at Lakhpat Sahib Gurdwara (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the celebrations at Lakhpat Sahib gurdwara in Kutch today via video conferencing. PM Modi wished everyone on the special occasion of Gurpurab celebrations in Gujarat.

PM Modi began his address by saying that Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib has been a witness to historic movements. He said that Lakhpat Sahib has seen storms in the past and once upon a time, this place was a major center for trade.

Here are some key highlights of PM Modi's address on Gurupurab:

• PM Modi said that the countrymen had been wishing for easy access to Kartarpur Sahib. In 2019, the Indian govt completed the work of the Kartarpur Corridor. He said that efforts are being to spread Guru Nanak Dev's message across the whole world with new energy.
• Talking about Lakhpat Sahib, PM Modi said, "Guruvani was inscribed on the walls here with the ancient writing style. This project was also honored by UNESCO then."
• Speaking about his term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi said that after the 2001 earthquake, he had the privilege of serving this holy place by Guru's grace. He remember then artisans from different parts of the country preserved the original glory of this place.
• PM Modi further said in 2021, we are celebrating 400 years of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's Prakash Utsav, you must have seen we were successful in bringing the copies of Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan. Talking about his recent visit to the US, the Prime Minister said that America returned more than 150 historical objects to India including a 'peshkabja' or small sword, on which the name of Guru Hargobind ji is written in Persian.
• It has always been a matter of pride for Gujarat that the fourth Gursikh, Bhai Mokham Singh ji, was from Gujarat, who played an important role in the establishment of Khalsa Panth, said PM Modi.
• PM Modi said that Guru Tegh Bahadur's valour and his sacrifice against Aurangzeb teach us how the country fights against terror and religious fanaticism. Similarly, the life of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib is also a living example of tenacity and sacrifice at every step.
• The Prime Minister further said that Jallianwala Bagh is a witness of the valour with which our Sikh brothers and sisters fought for the country's independence even under British rule.
• PM Modi said that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Kutch to Kohima, the entire country is working together to accomplish a common dream, that is to make India a developed country. Today the mantra of the country is – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Today the goal of the country is - the revival of a new capable India. Today the policy of the country is - service to every poor, priority to every deprived.

Every year Sikhs in Gujarat observe the celebrations of Gurpurab at Lakhpat Sahib gurdwara from December 23 to December 25, the PMO release said. It also noted that the first Sikh guru had stayed at Lakhpat during the course of his travels.

The famous Lakhpat Sahib gurdwara has preserved the relics, including wooden footwear and palkhi (cradle) as well as manuscripts and markings scripts of Gurmukhi. The PMO noted that the gurudwara had suffered damage during the 2001 earthquake, and Modi, the then chief minister, had undertaken urgent measures to restore it.

"This step showed the deep reverence of the Prime Minister for the faith, as also reflected in multiple recent endeavours, including the celebrations of 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 350th Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and 400th Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur," the PMO said.