Sri Anandpur Sahib/ Chandigarh- In a historic special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha held at Sri Anandpur Sahib to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President Aman Arora paid profound tribute to the Ninth Guru, calling his sacrifice a timeless symbol of unity and religious freedom for the nation.
Addressing the special session at the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial, Arora said that it was by the divine grace of Guru Sahib that leaders, legislators and citizens had gathered on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib to honour the Guru. He stated that no words could fully encapsulate the depth, philosophy and moral strength of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whose martyrdom stands unmatched in world history. “His sacrifice is the testimony in the world history where a great soul laid down his life for the protection of another faith,” he said.
Arora highlighted that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom was not merely a religious event, but a supreme act of defending human rights, unity and faith. He recalled that the Guru, revered as Hind Di Chadar, stood as a protective shield for the oppressed, while his devoted Sikhs—Bhai Mati Das, who was sawn alive, Bhai Sati Das, who was burnt alive, and Bhai Dayala Ji, who was boiled alive—embraced martyrdom without wavering from their beliefs. These sacrifices, he said, form an enduring chapter of courage and spiritual fortitude.
Detailing the Punjab Government’s efforts under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to uphold the Guru’s message, Arora said the state has consciously invested in strengthening interfaith harmony and safeguarding cultural heritage. He pointed to the allocation of Rs 25 crore for the Dera Ballan Research Centre, Rs 35 crore for the Bhagwan Valmiki Panorama at Ram Tirath in Amritsar, Rs 75 crore for the Kali Mata Temple complex, and Rs 25 crore for the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme. These initiatives, he emphasized, are not mere financial decisions but a committed effort to ensure that every individual enjoys complete freedom of faith. Protecting all religions and schools of thought, he said, remains a paramount responsibility of the state.
Arora noted the relevance of the special session in an era when attempts to divide society on the basis of caste, religion and communal identity are increasing nationwide, pointing to the recent incidents in Manipur and Haryana. In such times, he said, Punjab must send a strong message of peace, harmony and secularism to the rest of the country. “The three crore people of Punjab must send a message of unity to the 150 crore citizens of India on this historic occasion,” he added.
Reaffirming his stand on national unity, Arora declared, “From this holy land, we reject ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and ‘Khalistan’. Instead, we chant ‘Jug Jug Jive Mera Hindustan’, honouring the vision of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, who sacrificed his life for the unity of the nation.” The special session, he concluded, stands as a tribute to the Guru’s eternal message of peace and togetherness.