Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the state-level Veer Bal Diwas programme organised by the Haryana Government in Panchkula. On this occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini and several other dignitaries were present.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that whenever one speaks of the martyrdom of the Veer Sahibzadas, on one hand there is sorrow in the heart that children who had barely seen life were killed with such cruelty. On the other hand, the chest fills with pride that we were born in a country where a person did not hesitate to dedicate all four of his Sahibzadas to the nation and religion.

Shri Amit Shah said that today, it gives us chills when we recall that incident. He said that it is the national duty of all of us to tell the youth across the country about the life of Dasham Pita, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas. He said that in the history of those who fought for religion and country, no other person can be found who sacrificed his father, mother, and four young sons. That is why the people of the country have bestowed upon him the title of "Sarbansdani" one who sacrificed everything for all. He added that this spirit of valor, love for the motherland, and dedication to religion is what we must make known to every person in the country. This is an opportunity to spread this knowledge to all people across the nation. Shri Shah said that from the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Dasham Guru Gobind Singh Ji, this struggle continued against the Mughal invasions, and the end of the Mughals came during the period of the ten Gurus themselves.

Union Home Minister said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj united the entire country and showed the direction to the society for freedom from superstition. He said that Guru Angad Dev Ji preserved all the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji by committing them to writing in Gurmukhi script. The Sikh community and India will never forget Guru Angad Dev Ji’s contribution. The third Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji, introduced the tradition of Langar (community kitchen) and, by raising the issue of respect for women, sent a strong message across the whole of India that if mothers are not safe and respected, no country can survive. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Adi Granth and, in doing so, not only included the sacred words of the Gurus but also incorporated the verses of saints and fakirs from all religions. Shri Shah said that Guru Arjan Dev Ji accomplished the task of preserving the essence of the spirituality of the entire India in a single sacred scripture.

Shri Amit Shah said that the sixth Guru Ji conceptualized the idea of Miri and Piri, stating that the flag of devotion to religion would fly high, but alongside it, the flag of security would also stand firm.  For the first time, the tradition of the Gurus advanced in resistance against the tyranny of the Mughals. When 52 Hindu kings were imprisoned in the Gwalior Fort, it was Guru Hargobind Singh Ji who secured their release on the day of Diwali. That is why even today, Diwali is celebrated as Bandi Chhod Divas (the day of liberation of prisoners).  Shri Shah said that Guru Har Rai Ji integrated compassion, nature, and medicine with religion.  Even at a young age, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji set a great example of selfless service. During the smallpox epidemic, without caring for his own life, he served the people extensively in Delhi and surrounding areas, establishing a profound tradition of service.  The Home Minister said that had the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji not been there, neither Hindus nor Sikhs would have survived, hence he is called 'Hind Di Chadar'. He stated that the debt owed to the ninth Guru for his immense benevolence upon this country cannot be repaid even after five thousand years; gratitude can never be fully expressed for it.

Union Home Minister said that even after enduring such immense tortures, the ninth Guru never wavered in his firm resolve before the tyrants and oppressors. He bore many torments and ultimately offered his supreme sacrifice. Today, hundreds of years later, the Gurdwara Sheesh Ganj Sahib in Delhi remains one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for patriots. He stated that this teaches us that if a single individual so desires, his sacrifice can elevate him above even the tyranny of rulers. Shri Shah said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a scholar of many languages, a poet, an archer and adorned with great heritage, is a great man of the era. He said that no one can ever forget the life of Dasham Pita. Today, we all look upon Dasham Pita with utmost reverence. His words have proven true even today: the oppressors have vanished, but their millions of sons stand ready, prepared to fight for religion and the motherland. He said that the non-inclusion of Kartarpur Sahib in India at the time of Partition raises questions about the wisdom of those who carried out the partition.

Shri Amit Shah said that after independence, this history was, in a way, forgotten. He stated that there should be glorification of devotion to religion, attachment to the country, and the spirit of martyrdom for religion and the nation. He said that with great resolve, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji decided on January 9, 2022—on the occasion of Prakash Parv—that December 26 would be observed as Veer Bal Diwas across the entire country. He added that today, three years later, in every part of the country, the biography of the Sahibzadas is being read in primary schools on December 26. We have begun celebrating Veer Bal Diwas with great devotion, and not only the Government of India but all state governments have extended their full support to this initiative.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Modi Ji is a very fortunate Prime Minister because during his tenure alone, the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and the 350th Prakash Parv of Dasham Pita Guru Gobind Singh Ji  occurred. He stated that it is solely due to the grace of the Gurus that such significant events connected to the lives of the Gurus—from the first Guru to Dasham Pita—have taken place during the tenure of a single Prime Minister. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has left no stone unturned in presenting the tradition of all the Sikh Gurus before the entire world. He added that the government opened the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, reopened all cases related to the Sikh riots after three decades and sent the guilty to jail, constructed a memorial at Jallianwala Bagh, and granted citizenship to Sikh refugees. Shri Shah said that there can be no other religion that upholds the principle of Sarva Dharma Sambhava more than the Sikhism.

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