Nagar kirtan welcomed with petals, melody in Kapurthala

As part of a series of events being organised by the Punjab Government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, a nagar kirtan — which began at Gurdaspur — entered Kapurthala district late on Friday night through the Goindwal bridge over the Beas.

On the bridge, Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, SSP Gaurav Toora, Halqa In-charge Sajjan Singh Cheema and a large number of devotees welcomed and paid obeisance before the nagar kirtan.

On the occasion, Seechewal, the DC, the SSP and the Halqa In-charge presented a ‘rumala sahib’ before the Guru Granth Sahib, and ‘siropao’ to the Panj Pyare and the Granthi Singhs.

A band comprising schoolchildren welcomed the nagar kirtan on the beautifully adorned Goindwal bridge.

Devotees arranged langar at Mundi Mor, while residents of Ucha village, Parvez Nagar and other areas also paid obeisance before the nagar kirtan.

Seechewal said: “The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur is a unique example of martyrdom and secularism, not only for any one nation, but for humanity at large.”

The Guru and his Sikhs had sacrificed themselves for the protection of religion, he added.

Improvement Trust chairman Sajjan Singh Cheema said the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was spreading the message of the unparalleled martyrdom of the ninth Guru, and the principle of following the path of truth and religious freedom.

The Deputy Commissioner exhorted people to derive inspiration from the life and philosophy of the Guru, and follow the path shown by him. He said the Guru’s unparalleled martyrdom was a source of inspiration for future generations.

He also delved into the martyrdom of Bhai Sati Das, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala, saying they stood like an unshakable rock against oppression and religious conversion, showing that the heroes of Sikhism did not fight for any one religion, but for humanity.

The nagar kirtan was also warmly welcomed by a ‘sangat’ near the Kapurthala city bus stand.

Halka In-charge Karambir Singh Chandi said the Guru attained martyrdom for the protection of religion at Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.

He added that the sacrifice gave a message of standing firm against atrocities, and in favour of human rights.

The sangat showered flowers on the nagar kirtan, after which it proceeded to Kartarpur, entering Jalandhar district.