New Delhi: While addressing the nation on the occasion to mark the 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has never posed a threat to any country.
"India has never posed a threat to any country or society. Even today we think about the welfare of the whole world," PM said.
"This holy Gurudwara reminds us how great was the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji to protect our great culture. At that time there was a storm of religious fanaticism in the country. India, which considered religion as a matter of philosophy, science and self-reflection, was facing people who had committed violence and atrocities in the name of religion," he said.
PM Modi also said that India is moving forward with full devotion to the ideals of our gurus.
With his speech, Modi has scripted history as he has become the only Prime Minister of independent India who addressed the nation from the Red Fort after sunset.
"I am happy that today our country is moving forward with full devotion on the ideals of our gurus. On this virtuous occasion, I bow at the feet of all ten gurus. Hearty congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Prakash Parv," said PM in his address.
"From time immemorial, whenever our nation faced any atrocity, some great soul rose up & led the nation," added PM.
PM Modi also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion of the 400th Parkash Purab celebrations.
"In front of Aurangzeb's tyrannical thinking, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, becoming 'Hind di Chadar', stood like a rock," Modi said.
Big powers have disappeared, big storms have calmed down, but India still stands immortal and is moving ahead, Modi asserted.
"India has never posed a threat to any country or society. Even today we think for the welfare of the whole world. When we talk about a self-reliant India, we keep the progress of the whole world in front of that goal," he said.
Officials of the Ministry of Culture said that the Red Fort has been chosen as the venue because it was here in 1675 that the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb ordered the execution of the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur. For this reason, the Red Fort was chosen as the venue for the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Earlier, for the first time, the Red Fort of Delhi was illuminated on the occasion of Prakash Parv. On Wednesday evening, people also had darshan of the ninth Guru of Sikhs, Tegh Bahadur, through the light.
A two-day program dedicated to the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Tegh Bahadur had started at the Red Fort on Wednesday evening itself. On the first day yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was present in the program. The colors of the festival have been scattered on the Red Fort since yesterday. Song Music, Martial Arts.,. Every color was visible. A museum has also been built at the Red Fort so that people can get information about Guru Tegh Bahadur.