Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Sunday (July 26) described the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur as an enduring symbol of courage, selfless service and compassion, saying that his life and sacrifices continue to inspire humanity at a time when the world is grappling with violence, intolerance and conflict.

He was inaugurating the 350th Martyrdom Day commemoration of the guru and a one-day national seminar on ‘Martyrs in the Sikh Tradition’, organised jointly by the Union Ministry of Culture, the Sahitya Akademi and the Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib Management Board at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College in Mailur on the outskirts of Bidar.

Recalling Guru Tegh Bahadur’s supreme sacrifice in the defence of faith and religious freedom, Mr. Gehlot said the guru laid down his life to protect religion and its followers and was, therefore, revered as “Hind Di Chadar”. His sacrifice, the Governor said, remains one of the finest examples of courage, service and selflessness in India’s spiritual history.

“The true essence of religion lies in protecting humanity. Sacrifice is the highest virtue, and Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life reminds us that justice, compassion and service to society are the foundations of a civilised nation,” Mr. Gehlot noted.

Observing that the Sikh tradition accords a special place to sacrifice and resistance against injustice, he said Sikhism teaches people to stand firmly against oppression while dedicating themselves to public welfare. The tradition of langar in gurdwaras, he added, stands as a remarkable example of social equality and communal harmony.

Mr. Gehlot said organising the programme as part of the nationwide observance of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniversary was a commendable initiative as it provided an opportunity to reaffirm the values of religious freedom, constitutional ideals and human dignity. He also appreciated the Union Ministry of Culture and the Sahitya Akademi for promoting academic discussions on India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Governor urged citizens to work towards building the nation with a spirit of service, social harmony, national integration and commitment to constitutional values.

Describing Bidar as not only a historical city of Karnataka but also a symbol of India’s spiritual heritage, the Governor recalled Guru Nanak’s association with the city and how he had relieved its people from acute water scarcity through his divine intervention, making Bidar a revered pilgrimage centre.

He also said Karnataka was the land of great saints and social reformers such as Basaveshwara, Kanakadasa and Purandaradasa, who propagated equality, service and social justice.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Gehlot visited Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib and offered prayers.

Kumud Sharma, Vice-President of the Sahitya Akademi, said Guru Tegh Bahadur was not merely a leader of Punjab or India but a spiritual leader whose message belonged to the entire world. His life, she said, was dedicated to courage, human service and resistance against injustice.

Shri Nanak Jhira Sahib Foundation president Sardar Balbir Singh, author Sardar Manmohan Singh, Sahitya Akademi secretary Varun Gulati, Punjabi Advisory Board convener Ravel Singh, and Guru Nanak Educational Institutions’ vice-president Reshma Kaur were present.

Published - July 26, 2026 07:30 pm IST