Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the 350th martyrdom anniversary (Shaheedi Samagam) of ‘Hind di Chadar’ Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, paying homage to the ninth Sikh Guru and emphasising that the spirit of courage and truth remains as relevant today as it was in the 17th century.
Describing the occasion as a historic and sacred event, the Prime Minister said India’s history is defined by bravery, harmony and cooperation. He noted that the Gurus’ supreme sacrifices were strengthened by social unity, with people across communities drawing inspiration to stand firm for truth and culture.
“Today, when the country once again needs social unity the most, this gathering of the Sangat reassures the nation that the blessings of the Gurus and saints are with us,” he said.
The Prime Minister described the Samagam as a continuing journey that began in Nagpur last year, deepened at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, and reached a significant milestone in Navi Mumbai. He said the message of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice has spread across Maharashtra, touching thousands of villages and settlements. He also congratulated the Maharashtra government for organising the programme.
Referring to other commemorations, PM Modi said the Union government has been celebrating key milestones associated with the Sikh Gurus at the national level. He recalled the 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, marked by a commemorative postage stamp and special coin, and the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak. He also mentioned the annual observance of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ in honour of the Sahibzadas.
Highlighting steps taken for the Sikh community, the Prime Minister pointed to the completion of the Kartarpur Corridor in record time and the development of new facilities for the Hemkund Sahib Yatra. He said the government had provided relief under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to Sikh organisations and gurdwara-linked institutions, and ensured that Sikh history is accorded due place in school curricula and cultural discourse.
On issues of justice, PM Modi referred to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the reopening of previously closed cases, leading to convictions in several instances. He also mentioned additional compensation for victims’ families and a more active role for the National Commission for Minorities.
The Prime Minister said the government acted in “mission mode” to ensure the safety of Sikh families in Afghanistan and facilitated the respectful return of the Swaroops of the Guru Granth Sahib. He added that pathways for citizenship were cleared for Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, relief was extended to persecuted refugees under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and rehabilitation packages were implemented for Sikh families in Jammu and Kashmir. Overseas travel processes were also eased, with simplified OCI and visa rules and the removal of thousands of names from blacklists.
Concluding his address, PM Modi stressed that the Samagam’s purpose was not merely to remember history but to internalise its values in daily life.
“When the new generation connects with these values, tradition becomes a path to the future rather than just a memory,” he said, calling upon citizens to uphold courage, truth and unity in contemporary times.
The 350th Shaheedi Samagam brought together members of the Sikh community and dignitaries from across the country to honour the enduring legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
