Navi Mumbai: Paying tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur at an event in Navi Mumbai to mark his 350th year of martyrdom, Union home minister Amit Shah said the ninth Sikh guru inspired generations to protect freedom of belief and human dignity.He raised concerns over alleged religious conversions in Punjab and said if conversions were taking place due to greed or inducements, the Punjab govt should act to stop such practices. PM Narendra Modi, who attended the Hind-di-Chadar event virtually, listed decisions taken by the Centre to ensure justice and financial relief for victims of the 1984 riots, permission for the Golden Temple in Amritsar to receive direct foreign funding, and inclusion of Sikhism’s comprehensive history in academic textbooks. “In 1984, when the Sikh riots took place, many people were wronged. All the files were opened and an attempt was made to provide justice,” he said. He said Sikhs in J&K tried to provide services. “Serving our Sikh brothers is our duty… The future becomes the way when the new generation is connected.” Modi also recalled the rescue of Sikhs and the Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan, amendments to Citizenship Act to enable refugees to obtain Indian citizenship, a relief and rehabilitation package for those who migrated to J&K, and the delisting of several names from the govt blacklist. Shah said Sangh Parivar and followers of Sanatan Dharma were grateful to Guru Tegh Bahadur for his “supreme sacrifice”, adding that Hindus are safe today because of him. He said efforts were being made to highlight the guru’s life and teachings across Maharashtra. CM Devendra Fadnavis said the state will include lessons on Guru Tegh Bahadur in school textbooks. He also announced that a large hospital named after him will be built in Navi Mumbai. Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with many religious leaders from Sikh and allied communities, also addressed the congregation.
