Delhi government plans inclusive initiatives to honour Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, in November.
NEW DELHI: The newly formed Delhi government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is preparing to commemorate the Martyrdom Day (Shaheedi Diwas) of Guru Tegh Bahadur this November with a series of meaningful, enduring, and inclusive initiatives. This decision was made during a key meeting chaired by Delhi’s Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Senior community leaders and representatives from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee also attended, offering valuable suggestions for the tribute. Further public consultations and follow-up meetings will be held in the coming weeks to finalise the implementation plan.
The meeting evoked a strong emotional response and a sense of pride among attendees, who praised the government for highlighting Guru Tegh Bahadur’s enduring legacy—a figure revered globally for sacrificing his life in defence of freedom of conscience and belief, a gesture unmatched in human history. Participants also recognised the consistent respect shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards all faiths and communities, which has elevated Guru Sahib’s martyrdom to national prominence.
“This is not just our duty—it is Delhi’s honour,” said Mishra, recalling his earlier visit with Sirsa to the current memorial of Guru Tegh Bahadur located at Singhu Border, New Delhi.
“At the time of our visit, even the lights at the memorial were not functional. It reflected years of disregard by the previous administration. We rectified that immediately. This year, we are not only restoring the memorial but also launching a daily light and sound show, founding a Centre for Martyrdom Studies, and ensuring that Guru Sahib’s life story is integrated into school curricula to teach children about his legacy.”
