Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addressed the felicitation program organized by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for the unprecedented work done by the Modi government for the Sikh community.

Shri Amit Shah said that apart from the Sikh community, there would rarely be any other community which would have such a long tradition of struggle and sacrifice against the injustice of the invaders for 10 generations. He said that no one in the whole world can match the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus for humanity and the country. Shri Shah said that we can never forget the sacrifice of the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on the plea of Kashmiri Pandits who were facing the atrocities of Aurangzeb in Kashmir reached there on foot and gave supreme sacrifice. He said that when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had decided to celebrate a festival in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, then the same place was chosen for it where the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was announced. On the same wall words in his praise were inscribed and the ceremony was held at the Red Fort itself.

Union Home Minister said that when every religion of the world was fighting a war for its own ideas, at that time from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the tenth Guru everyone gave the message of equality of all religions to the world, which the whole world is following till today and this is a matter of pride for entire India. He said that the Sikh community has moved forward taking religion and work together. He said that when it comes to sacrificing one's life for the religion, a true Sikh never looks back and Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifices, from independence to protecting the country. He said that the country can never forget the teachings and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus.

Shri Amit Shah said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread the message of equality of all religions in many countries of the world. He said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji also spread the message of love throughout the world without any self interest. Shri Shah said that Guru Granth Sahib imbibes all good teachings and there can be no greater message of equality of all religions than Guru Granth Sahib.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has provided 33% reservation for women in the legislatures of states and Parliament for Women-led Development. Shri Shah said that the tradition of women empowerment started years ago in the Sikh panth with the teachings of Mata Khivi's langar. He added that history showcases that Sikh community women have made significant contributions in the freedom struggle as well in the nation's progress. He said that whether it's the freedom struggle of India, the fight against the Mughals and the British, the horrors of partition, or securing the borders of the country after independence, the Sikh community has always been at the forefront. The history of our freedom struggle is full of sacrifices of brave Sikhs, and after the independence of the country, the Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifices for national security.

Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the last 9 years, several significant initiatives have been taken, such as the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, exempting GST on Langar, constructing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, making Sultanpur Lodhi a heritage city, establishing a chair in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at a British university, and providing facilities for Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan. He said that no civilized person can forget the 1984 riots, and such heinous killings were politically motivated. Shri Shah said that until the formation of the Modi Government in 2014, no one was arrested, and no one spent a single day in jail. He said that probe commissions were set up, but no concrete results ever came from them. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi established an SIT and re-opened 300 cases, leading to the imprisonment of the guilty. He said that cases are still ongoing, and the Modi government will ensure justice for the victims. He said that it was Shri Modi who has provided financial assistance of Rs. 5 Lakh each to 3,328 families of victims and restored the Jallianwala Bagh memorial to its former glory. Shri Shah Modi government opened the way to give citizenship under the 'Citizenship Amendment Act' to Sikh sisters and brothers who were tortured in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is very fortunate that with the blessings of the Gurus, he has got the opportunity to serve Guru Sahiban. He said that contribution of Sikh community and the Sikh Gurus to society and humanity cannot be repaid even in thousands of years.

*****

RK/AY/ASJ/AKS/AS