Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the people to take a pledge for overcoming all shortcomings whether social or religious and follow the path shown by the Sikh Gurus.
Addressing the gathering here during a state-level function to commemorate 350th birth anniversary of the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, he said that the life and philosophy of Guru Gobind Singh could act as a catalyst to unite the country.
He said that the maladies like casteism and social inequality could be overcome easily by following on the footsteps of great Sikh Gurus.
Badal said that they were fortunate to commemorate this momentous event during their lifetime, which was a humble effort to further strengthen the ethos of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity across the length and breadth of the country.
The Chief Minister said that Guru Gobind Singh made unparalleled contribution for upholding the age old traditions of secularism besides safeguarding the human rights and ensuring religious freedom thereby sacrificing everything including even his own family.
He said the fact that the foundation of Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar was laid down by the Muslim saint Sai Mian Mir to foster the concept of secularism and its four entrances symbolised the oneness of mankind.
He said that the Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular have inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and valour from the great Sikh Gurus, who taught them to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.
Badal said that the 350th Parkash Utsav of the tenth Master of Divine Light, was being observed with great religious enthusiasm, devotion and dedication all over the world.
"We are overwhelmed with the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this function at the birth place of Khalsa Panth," added Badal.
The Chief Minister said that Guru Gobind Singh gave message to humanity against forcible religious conversions by urging his father Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib to sacrifice at the altar of righteousness and justice.
He said that to fight against this oppression zealously, the tenth Sikh Guru created Khalsa panth to empower the poor and underprivileged people to fight against injustice and tyranny unleashed by the mighty Mughals.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Guru Sahiban have bestowed a great legacy to the entire humanity and the preservation of which is an article of faith with the SAD-BJP combine government in the state.
He said that the state government has constructed memorials belonging to all the religions in the state to guide the young generation about the rich and glorious culture as well as historical heritage of the state.
Terming the inauguration of 2nd phase of Virasat-E-Khalsa as a historic occasion, he also said only those communities leave their footprints on the sands of time which remember their martyrs and historical roots.
In his address, Union Minister of state and Punjab BJP Chief Vijay Sampla said that Modi's visit about 17 years after Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2016 reflects the special affection of Prime Minister with the state.
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