Need to ensure country's unity: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the central government was committed to bringing back Sikh artefacts from abroad and, to underline his point, he said the “swaroop” of the Guru Granth Sahib was brought back from Afghanistan in August.

Gurus alerted us against dangers

The dangers against which the Gurus alerted us are the same even today, so we have to be alert and ensure that the country remains secure. Unity is essential for all of us. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

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“What can be a greater experience of Guru’s grace than this!” the Prime Minister said while virtually addressing Gurpurb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib in Gujarat’s Kutch district.

During his US visit in September, Modi had recalled that America had returned more than 150 historical objects to India. These included a “pesh kabz” (small sword), on which the name of Guru Hargobind is written in Persian. “It is the great fortune of this government to be able to do all this,” he said.

The Prime Minister also underlined that the Centre regularly celebrated auspicious occasions in the Sikh history and mentioned the hosting of 350th Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh and 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev.

Modi recalled the contribution of the Gurus during the times of subjugation and attacks by the invaders. Guru Nanak Dev, he said, was clear in his understanding of the danger that Babar’s invasion posed for India.

“Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice taught the country to fight against terror and religious fanaticism, and Guru Gobind Singh was an example of tenacity and sacrifice,” the PM added.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that nobody hurts our dreams and the unity of the country. To achieve the dreams for which our Gurus lived and sacrificed their lives, we should all remain united. Unity is essential for all of us. The dangers against which the Gurus alerted us remain the same even today, so we have to be alert and also ensure that the country remains secure,” he said.

Every year from December 23 to 25, the Sikh Sangat of Gujarat celebrates the Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Lakhpat Sahib.

Guru Nanak stayed at Lakhpat during the course of his travels. The gurdwara there has his relics, including a wooden footwear and a palkhi (cradle) as well as some manuscripts.