New Delhi -The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is not merely a historic event of unparalleled significance, but an eternal source of inspiration for safeguarding human faith, freedom of conscience and dignity. By sacrificing his life to protect the religious rights of others, guru sahib conveyed to the world that the true meaning of freedom lies not only in respecting one’s own beliefs but also in upholding the right of others to practise their faith without fear. This was stated by Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister in the Delhi Government, while addressing the academic and interfaith seminar ‘Srishti Di Chadar’ as the chief guest.
Dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the seminar was organised at the Constitution Club of India by the IHA Foundation in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee . Leaders of various faiths, eminent scholars and prominent personalities from the social sector paid their heartfelt tributes to guru sahib and shared their perspectives on the universal humanistic message embodied in his supreme sacrifice.
Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasised that standing up for another person’s faith and freedom of conscience is a fundamental responsibility of humanity. He observed that Guru Sahib’s life inspires us to respect the rights of others, remain fearless in the face of injustice and stand resolutely for truth. The enduring light of his martyrdom transcends religious and geographical boundaries, illuminating the path for all humanity.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon stated that Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice represents not only a glorious chapter in Sikh history but also a universal message of freedom, equality and human rights for the entire world. They emphasised that the true expression of reverence for this legacy lies in fostering mutual respect, protecting the rights of the vulnerable and serving humanity with selflessness and compassion.
During the seminar, speakers described Guru Sahib’s martyrdom as an unparalleled example of freedom of conscience. They observed that making the supreme sacrifice to protect the rights of people whose beliefs differ from one’s own represents the highest expression of universal brotherhood. They stressed that religious freedom is not merely the right to live according to one’s own faith, but also a shared responsibility to ensure that others enjoy the same freedom without hindrance.
Among those present were IHA Foundation Chairman Sardar Satnam Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Adviser Sardar Paramjit Singh Chandhok, along with several other distinguished personalities. The participation of representatives from Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities, including Giani Harman Singh Khalsa, Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj and Maulana A.R. Shaheen Qasmi, transformed the gathering into a meaningful platform for interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding and respect.
The speakers emphasised that compassion, justice, peaceful coexistence and human equality must not remain confined to ideals and deliberations, but should become the guiding principles of everyday life. They observed that initiatives such as ‘Srishti Di Chadar’ strengthen trust and dialogue among diverse communities while fostering a meaningful connection between the younger generation and Guru Sahib’s timeless legacy.