‘Guru Gobind Singh protected nation, upheld religious values’

Lucknow: Terming Mughal emperor Aurangzeb as "cruel", Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hailed Guru Gobind Singh, the founder of the Khalsa Panth, for standing against "the tyranny of Aurangzeb's rule, which was marked by forced conversions through ‘jaziya', demolition of temples, and atrocities against women".
The CM, who visited Yahiyaganj Gurdwara in Lucknow on Baisakhi, greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on Khalsa Panth foundation day and Baisakhi, and highlighted the contributions of Guru Gobind Singh who "gave a call in 1699 to protect the nation and uphold religious values".
"Guru Gobind Singh envisioned the Khalsa as a force for righteousness and protection of ‘dharma'. He founded it with the ‘panj pyare' (five beloved ones) as a powerful stand against the tyranny of Aurangzeb's rule, which was marked by forced conversions through an arbitrary tax regime (jaziya), demolition of temples, and grave violations of women's dignity," he said.
Highlighting the 325-year-long journey of the Khalsa Panth, Yogi praised the Sikh community for unyielding bravery and devotion in defending the nation and its values during the most challenging times.
He described the Sikh tradition, as initiated by Guru Nanak Dev and furthered by Guru Gobind Singh, as a journey on the spiritual path.
Yogi emphasised the courage and spiritual purity that define the Khalsa, stating that Guru Gobind Singh's mission was to create ‘special people of God' who act with purity of heart and unwavering resolve.
"His teachings remain a timeless inspiration for not only Sikhs but every Indian. Wherever there is a Sikh, he marches forward without fear or hesitation. That is why he is rightly called a ‘sardar'."
Expressing concern over incidents of religious conversions in the Terai belt and Punjab, he urged people to address the root cause of such problems. He recalled how Guru Gobind Singh chose the ‘Panj Pyare' without any discrimination, laying the foundation of a spiritual order based on equality and unity.
Calling Guru Gobind Singh the "son of a martyred father and the father of martyred sons", Yogi said that he respected the supreme sacrifice and valour he showed in the battlefield. He added that wherever followers of Guru Gobind Singh went, they earned respect for their strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice.
The CM also voiced concern over the migration of Sikh youths from Terai region of Uttar Pradesh to foreign countries, emphasising the need to strengthen the region that was once transformed into fertile land through the tireless efforts of the Sikh community. "It used to be a malaria-prone area in the past," he said.
He also spoke about the nationwide observance of Veer Bal Diwas on Dec 26 in the honour of the supreme sacrifice of four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. He said that the initiative, which began at his residence in Lucknow, had been adopted as a national observance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The CM announced that grand celebration were being planned to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th birth anniversary and urged the state gurdwara committees to prepare a comprehensive plan for it.
"The sacrifices of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh, the four Sahibzadas, and countless Sikh warriors were not for personal gain but for the nation's protection and dharma. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten," he said
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, minister of state Baldev Singh Aulakh, MLC Mukesh Sharma, president of Gurudwara Sahib Yahiyaganj Gurmeet Singh, Satnam Singh Sethi, and Manjit Singh Talwar were present.