Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the state government will take up the matter of commemorating martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji as Human Rights day with the Government of India.
The Chief Minister, while interacting with the Sant Samaj here today, batted for observing martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib at national level as Human Rights Day. He categorically said that it will help in promoting the ethos of secularism, communal harmony and brotherhood in the country adding that the ninth guru was an epitome of socialism and secularism as he sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that observation of the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib as Human Rights Day will be a humble tribute to this great Sikh Guru on one hand and will further cement the ties between people on the other as the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a lighthouse for entire humanity.
The Chief Minister also said that the state government will also explore the feasibility of constructing Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg on the path adopted by Guru sahib while going to Delhi, where Guru Ji was martyred. He said that the PWD and Punjab Mandi Board will chalk out the blueprint in this regard to construct the marg as a humble tribute to Guru sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even Punjab government will take up the matter to further extend this Marg upto Gurudwara Seesh Ganj sahib in Delhi with the centre government.
Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister also said that the path on which legendary Sikh warrior Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) brought the severed Seesh of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji will also be spruced up and named as Baba Jeevan Singh Marg. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Baba Jeevan Singh combated lots of hardships and travelled through Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana to bring Seesh at Sri Anandpur Sahib. So, he said that the respective state governments and the Government of India will also be requested for construction of Marg as a befitting tribute to the heroic Sikh warrior.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced to constitute a committee for including the life and philosophy of Guru sahib in the school curriculum. He also said that any sort of objectionable content that is not in consonance with Sikh sentiments will also be immediately removed from Virasat E Khalsa museum. Bhagwant Singh Mann also reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to enact strong anti-sacrilege law so that exemplary punishment is ensured to the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister apprised the Sant Samaj that the state government is organizing a series of commemorative events to observe the 350th martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji. He said that these functions will start from Gurudwara Seesh Ganj Sahib in Delhi on October 25 and from November 1 Kirtan Darbars will be organized across the state. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that seminars on life, philosophy and sacrifice of Guru sahib will be organized in every educational institute of the state from November 15.
The Chief Minister said that on November 18 Kirtan Darbar will be held at Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) and on the next day a nagar Kirtan will start from there with Kashmiri Pandits as its part. He said that this nagar kirtan will reach Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22 after entering Punjab through Pathankot and then passing through Hoshiarpur. Similarly Bhagwant Singh Mann said that nagar kirtan from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib will start on November 19 and that from Faridkot and Gurdaspur will start on November 20 adding that all the four nagar kirtans will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will hold mega events in Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23-25 to commemorate this historic event. He said that a Tent city to cater 12,000 people will be set up in Sri Anandpur Sahib and named as Chak Nanki adding that a Sarb dharam sammelan will also be organized in the holy city. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that an exhibition and drone show depicting life and philosophy of Guru sahib will also be held at the holy city.
The Chief Minister also said that the state government will also organize a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the city of bliss where historic resolutions will be passed. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that Sarbat Di Bhalai Iktarta will be held on November 25 along with blood donation camps and massive plantation drive by the forest department. He also said that a massive multi storey parking to cater 500 vehicles will also be constructed at holy city adding that in order to decongest the city a bye pass will also be constructed at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister sought the blessings and suggestions from the Sant Samaj for commemorating 350th martyrdom day in a befitting manner across the globe. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that these celebrations were being held during his tenure. He said that his government will ensure that the celebrations are held in the most befitting manner adding he urged the representatives of Sant Samaj to give their suggestions and inputs for crystallizing the concept and programs for the celebrations. He said that the major thrust of these events will be to perpetuate Guruji’s life, his ideology, and his supreme sacrifice, which till date continue to inspire millions across the globe.
Members of Sant Samaj, who participated in the meeting included, Baba Balbir Singh ji 96 Karori, Baba Kashmir Singh ji Bhuri Wale, Baba Satnam Singh ji Quilla Anandgarh, Sant Baba Avtar Singh ji Tibbi Sahib Ropar, Baba Tirath Singh ji Tap Asthan Bhai Jaita ji, Bhai Gurpreet Singh ji Randhawe Wale, Baba Sukhwinder Singh Ji Ratwara Sahib wale, representative of Sant Baba Balbir Singh Ji Seechewal, SGPC Member Paramjit Singh Raipur, Sant Baba Sewa Singh ji Rampur Khedi wale, Baba Sur Singh Ji wale, Baba Budh Singh Ji Nikke Ghuman Wale, Sant Nirmal Dass ji Jaure wale, Prof. Apinder Singh ji Mahalpur Bunga Sahib, Baba Major Singh ji on behalf of Baba Narinder Singh ji Huzur Sahib Wale, Baba Avtar Singh Dhattal Amritsar, Baba Gurjit Singh ji Kulli wale Amritsar, Baba Nand Singh ji Munda Pind Wale, Sant Gurbachan Singh Pandwa Phagwara, Baba Gurdev Singh Ji Bajware Wale, Baba Balbir Singh Ji Birdh Ashram, Baba Jagjit Singh Ji Mirzapur, Baba Sukha Singh Ji, Kar Sewa Delhi, Baba Jeet Singh Ji Nirmal Kutiya Johalan and others.
On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains, Harbhajan Singh ETO and Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Advisor Tourism and Cultural Affairs Deepak Bali and others were also present.
