Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and recalled the sacrifice of the ninth Sikh guru in protecting culture.
Mr. Modi addressed the gathering at Red Fort, where a two-day celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur culminated on Thursday night. The Prime Minister said Red Fort had witnessed many events in history, including the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and tested the courage of those who died for the country. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed in the nearby Chandni Chowk, while the order for his beheading was issued from Red Fort.
Mr. Modi said there was a “storm of religious fanaticism in the country at that time” and Guru Tegh Bahadur was the great hope for India to save its identity and stand against Aurangzeb’s tyranny.