Today, 19 December 2020, Sikhs all over the world commemorate the sacrifice of the ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Saheb. Hind-di-chadar Shri Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed himself standing with and for the weak, standing against a tyrant.
As is the fashion these days, politicians appropriating
historical and religious figures, in January 2020 Congress government in Punjab
announced a year long celebration of Guru’s 400th birth anniversary
(April 2020 to April 2021). Not to be left behind, Akali dal (then a part of
NDA govt at center) got the Govt of India to announce a nationwide celebration
of 400th birth anniversary – with the President making the
proclamation in his address to a joint sitting of the Parliament. In November 2020,
Delhi team of Akali Dal (who was by then out of NDA govt) started six-month
long celebrations. As we approach April 2021, every politician will line up
with big words proclaiming Guru’s legacy – with a turban wearing Modi leading
the pack.
According to Delhi tourism website – “With a view to
beautify all the entry points of Delhi, Government of NCT of Delhi has set up
Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial near Singhu Boarder (G.T.Karnal Road) National
Highway-1.”
The police barricades which indicate the start of the
tractor trolley township of the farmer movement, are placed where the memorial
starts. As one walks to join the lacs gathered, one first crosses the Guru’s
memorial. If one steps inside a tall khanda rising from the ground comes in
view. “A 24 meter high central pylon with petals at the base represents the
Guru & his strength and the three “C” arches denote his three followers and
the monoliths represent the 10 Sikh Gurus’ with their sayings inscribed on them.”
The words of Gurbani on these ten pillars give messages like Sarbhat da bhala
(welfare of all), kirat karna (hard work and honest living), naam japna
(remembering God), vand chakna (sharing with others), istri samanta (equality
of women), etc.
As part of six-month celebrations Delhi Akali Dal team has
planned a nagar kirtan (a procession of devotees) from birthplace of Guru
(Amritsar) to place of his death (Delhi) in February 2021.
Sons and daughters of Guru in their lacs have marched upon Delhi
much ahead of the schedule. The 400th year celebration hadn’t
anticipated such gathering in celebration of the spirit of Guru. Standing up to
a tyrant. Standing with the weak. Other communities have joined these sons and
daughters of the Guru in the people’s movement they started.
One of the ten pillars inside the memorial say tenth Guru’s
words under the heading ‘Deedar Khalse ka’ – ‘Behold the pure.” ‘Khalsa mero
roop hai khas, Khalse mehi ho karo nivas’ ‘Khalsa is my true form Within the
Khalsa, I abide.’
May those who speak on stages appropriating the Guru’s
legacy – take a moment to understand the significance of the gathering next to
Guru Teg Bahadur Memorial at Singhu border. May they go and bow to the Guru
awaiting at their doorsteps. May they go and bow to the real memorial to the
Guru gathered at their doorsteps.
And may the people of the land continue to remember what the
Guru stood and sacrificed for.
#StandWithFarmers
#SpeakUpForFarmers
#KisanEktaMorcha
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