New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the celebration of the 400th Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur organised at the Red Fort this year. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the country is indebted to the sacrifice of the great Sikh Gurus.
Beginning his speech with "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", the Union Home Minister said that the Sikh Guru gave his life for the protection of Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindus who were persecuted by the then Mughal rulers.
"I want to say without any hesitation that it was due to the supreme sacrifices of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, that India could get Independence later and the country is now on the 75th year of Independence," he said at the event held at the historic Red Fort.
"Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself to protect the Hindu dharma. When Kashmiri Pandits narrated to him about the atrocities being committed on them by the Mughals, he said, go and tell Aurangzeb after they convert me, they can convert others," a PTI report quoted Shah as saying.
"He came to Delhi and sacrificed himself right here at Chandni Chowk... Those who ordered his execution have long gone, but millions of people follow the path of the one who sacrificed himself... That's why he continues to be known as Hind ki Chadar even after 400 years."
Shah said Modi was the luckiest prime minister as he was fortunate to have organised the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, 400th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur and 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
"I want to say without any hesitation that it was due to the supreme sacrifices of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, India could get Independence later and the country is now on the 75th year of Independence," he said at the event held at the historic Red Fort here.
"There's no one in this country who is not touched by the Guru's sacrifice. Hindu, Sikh, everyone has a unique feeling of respect for the Guru," Shah said.
Shedding light on the reason for organising the celebrations at the historic Red Fort, the Union home minister said that organising the event at the Red Fort was a fitting tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur as his death warrant was issued from here by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb and he was killed near its premises where a gurudwara stands now.
As Shah spoke, the iconic Fort reverberated with slogans of "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh", and "Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal" and Shah paused each time such calls were made.
During the event, a special rendition of the 'Shabad Kirtan' was presented by 400 students.
Shah's speech on Wednesday set the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will attend the event on Thursday and address the nation. He will also release a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion.
(With PTI inputs)