Prez pays tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday paid homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur at a special congregation held on the Red Fort grounds to mark the 350th martyrdom day anniversary of the 9th Sikh Guru.

The President bowed before Sri Guru Granth Sahib and offered her tributes at the historic site, where thousands of devotees had gathered since morning.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, senior Sikh leaders and members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) were also present at the event.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the overwhelming turnout of devotees over the three-day congregation was unprecedented, adding that such a large-scale celebration was being organised in Delhi for the first time. “Lakhs of devotees have participated. The devotion and emotional connection visible here have been deeply moving,” she said.

Gupta announced that the Red Fort event marked the beginning of a year-long series of programmes to spread Guru Tegh Bahadur’s message of peace, courage and harmony. The Delhi Government will organise the programmes in partnership with the DSGMC. Special publications for children and youth will also be released to familiarise them with the Guru’s life and teachings.

In a major announcement, the Chief Minister said the government will set up a dedicated ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur Forest’ in the city, where saplings will be planted and nurtured into a large green zone. This forest will serve both as a tribute to Guru Sahib and as a significant contribution to Delhi’s environmental health. Public welfare schemes in Guru Sahib’s name are also being planned.

Gupta said devotees arriving from across the country and abroad had transformed the Red Fort grounds into a hub of spiritual energy. “These historic walls have witnessed Aurangzeb’s tyranny and Guru Sahib’s martyrdom. Today, lakhs gathering here to bow their heads symbolises spiritual devotion and emotional unity,” she said, adding that serving the sangat during the event had been a blessing.

Earlier in the day, the concluding session saw more than 1 lakh Sahaj Paths collectively completed by devotees as an offering to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary. The Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib also participated in the ceremony.

The DSGMC organised a grand Nagar Kirtan in honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur and his three disciples - Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Diala Ji. Led by the Panj Pyare, the procession began at Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib and passed through Ajmeri Gate, Paharganj, New Delhi railway station, Connaught Place and Baba Kharak Singh Marg before concluding at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.