Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday called for an end to differentiation against women and elimination of gender discrimination.
Addressing a gathering in Mata Nanki Istri Gurmat Samagam here, on the occasion of the beginning of three-day celebrations of the 350th anniversary of Anandpur Sahib's foundation, she said women should take a lead in ending gender discrimination.
Recalling the role played by women in safeguarding and strengthening the Sikh Panth, the minister said: "We all should learn a lesson from the lives of those brave women who had served as forerunners in protecting the rights and interests of women."
She also called upon the womenfolk to make Mai Bhago their ideal to combat social menaces.
Mai Bhago, also known as Mata Bhag Kaur, was a Sikh woman who led the Sikh soldiers against the Mughals in 1705 and killed several enemy soldiers. She is seen as a saint warrior by the Sikhs.
Paying obeisance to the Sikh gurus and the sacred land of Anandpur Sahib, Harsimrat Kaur said this was not only a sacred land but a historic place where the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, formed Khasla Panth on April 13, 1699.
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Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, accompanied by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, dedicated the recently installed 81-foot stainless steel 'Khanda' here.
Recalling the significance of 'Khanda', Badal said its installation would be a humble tribute to the great philosophy of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, who laid the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.
He said 'Khanda' symbolises the eternal spirit of universal brotherhood, courage and valour against the tyranny, oppression and injustice.
Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from Chandigarh, is home to the second most important Sikh shrine, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, after the 'Harmandar Sahib' (popularly known as Golden Temple) in Amritsar.
The Anandpur Sahib shrine attracts hundreds of devotees daily.