Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism sacrificed his life for the sake of people who did not even belong to his community. Every year on November 24, Sikhs celebrate Shaheedi Divas to remember Guru Tegh Bahadur and the day is observed as his Martyrdom Day.
The youngest son of Guru Hargobind, he was publicly killed in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi for refusing to convert to Islam. He sacrificed his life to protect religion, human values, ideals and principles. In Sikhism, his sacrifice is remembered with great reverence. In the words of Noel King of the University of California, “Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom was the first-ever martyrdom for human rights in the world.”
Aurangzeb wanted to convert India into an Islamic nation, hence forcing the Hindus to convert to Islam else be ready to be executed. A delegation of 500 Kashmiri Pandits led by Pandit Kripa Ram went to seek help from Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib.
President Ram Nath Kovind paid tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur on his Martyrdom Day. In a message, the President said, “Guru Tegh Bahadur made supreme sacrifice to protect the faith, belief and rights of the people. Therefore, the fellow citizens call him 'Hind di Chaadar' with love and respect.”
The President said that his sacrifice inspires all of us to unite for the true service of humanity.
Kovind also said, Guru Tegh Bahadur's teachings and his work will continue to spread the spirit of love and patriotism among all of us.
