On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort to commemorate the 401st birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru who stood up to Mughal forcible conversions
PM Modi shared the information through a tweet. He wrote, “At 9:15 PM tomorrow, 21st April, l will have the honor of taking part in the 400th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The program will be held at the iconic Red Fort. A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released.”
According to sources, the PM's speech, which is expected around 9:30 p.m. after 'Shabad kirtan' by 400 ragis (Sikh musicians), will likely focus on relaying a message of interfaith peace. The sources said that there are two reasons behind choosing the Red fort as a venue. “First, it was the place from where Mughal ruler Aurangzeb gave orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675. Second, the ramparts of Red Fort is from where the PM addresses the nation on Independence Day, so it’s an ideal place to reach out to the people with a message of interfaith peace,” said an official.
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PM Modi shared the information through a tweet. He wrote, “At 9:15 PM tomorrow, 21st April, l will have the honor of taking part in the 400th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. The program will be held at the iconic Red Fort. A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released.”
According to sources, the PM's speech, which is expected around 9:30 p.m. after 'Shabad kirtan' by 400 ragis (Sikh musicians), will likely focus on relaying a message of interfaith peace. The sources said that there are two reasons behind choosing the Red fort as a venue. “First, it was the place from where Mughal ruler Aurangzeb gave orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675. Second, the ramparts of Red Fort is from where the PM addresses the nation on Independence Day, so it’s an ideal place to reach out to the people with a message of interfaith peace,” said an official.
Also read: Boris Johnson on JCB: British PM jumps onto BullDozer at JCB plant in Gujarat, met with Adani; WATCH
A laser light show will be part of the inaugural event. A two-day exhibition on the life and times of the Sikh guru will be held on the Red Fort forecourt. Following his speech, the Prime Minister will unveil a postal stamp and a commemorative coin honoring the Sikh Guru, which will be followed by langar.
The BJP has been attempting to reach out to the Sikh community since deciding to run alone in the Punjab Assembly elections after the old partnership with the Shiromani Akali Dal fell up over three farm legislation. Last November, the Prime Minister selected Guru Nanak Jayanti to announce the abolition of the laws.