Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The life of the third Sikh guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, stands as an unparalleled symbol of sacrifice, penance, devotion, and equality. Speaking at the 9th Mega Nagar Kirtan Samagam organized near Amarpura Chowk in Ludhiana, Punjab, to celebrate the Guru’s parkash purb, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that these historical teachings continue to guide society toward brotherhood, human welfare, and social harmony. The Chief Minister announced a financial contribution of ₹500,000 for the gurdwara management and assured continued government cooperation for future development projects related to the shrine.
Saini emphasized that Guru Amar Das Ji strongly opposed social evils like the caste system, untouchability, and discrimination. By introducing the profound concept of “pahle pangat, peeche sangat”—which mandates eating together in the community kitchen before congregating—the Guru established a monumental baseline for social equality that remains highly relevant today. The Chief Minister praised the organizing bodies, including the Guru Amar Das Seva Society, Sri Sukhmani Seva Society, and the Guru Amar Das Gurdwara and Dharamshala Charitable Trust, for hosting an event that binds society through spiritual consciousness and unity.
Beyond religious leadership, the Guru made historic contributions to women’s empowerment and social reform. He actively opposed the inhumane practice of Sati, advocated for widow remarriage, and encouraged women to reject the purdah system. Saini noted that in an era where modern society faces mental stress and conflict, the verses of Anand Sahib offer humanity a path to authentic happiness, contentment, and spiritual peace. He highlighted that Haryana and Punjab share a deep cultural and historical bond, with the land of Haryana being blessed by the footsteps of various Sikh gurus.
The Chief Minister outlined several major initiatives undertaken by the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to preserve this heritage. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, a heritage circuit has been approved connecting key sites including Sri Anandpur Saib, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Sri Chamkaur Sahib, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Khatkar Kalan, Kalanaur, and Patiala. Notable historical milestones include the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in 2019, the launch of special flights from Amritsar to Nanded, and the declaration of December 26 as “Veer Baal Diwas” to honour the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger sahibzadas, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.
The Haryana government has also implemented extensive state-level projects to honour Sikh history. These include developing a dedicated forest and memorial gate in Kalesar, Yamunanagar, named after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and providing government jobs to one member from each of the 121 families affected by the 1984 riots. Educational and infrastructure projects include establishing a research chair at Chaudhary Devi Lal University in Sirsa, naming the Yamunanagar medical college after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and transferring nine acres of land to the historic Gurdwara Chilla Sahib in Sirsa without any fee. Furthermore, the state runs the Swaran Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Scheme to provide financial assistance to pilgrims visiting prominent shrines across the country, alongside operating free special trains to Nanded.
