Leaders of all major faiths united at Sri Anandpur Sahib for a historic Sarb Dharm Sammelan, honoring Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s 350th martyrdom with messages of peace and harmony.

The holy site of Sri Anandpur Sahib hosted a historic Sarb Dharm Sammelan (Interfaith Conference) at the main pandaal of Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni. To commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, notable spiritual and religious leaders from Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism came together in a profound demonstration of unity that cut across all religious boundaries.

As religious and spiritual leaders honored the Ninth Sikh Guru in unison, remembering him as an enduring defender of religious freedom and a universal symbol of righteousness, the air was charged with reverence.

In Sarb Dharm Sammelan, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond greeted the religious and spiritual leaders. They characterized the Guru’s legacy as a beacon of light for all people, and they added that the Sammelan provided leaders with a strong forum to consider it.

Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, the chairman of the Damdami Taksal, Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh of the Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal, and Baba Sewa Singh Rampur Kherewale led a message of love, harmony, peace, and humanity during the occasion. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji reflects India’s rich cultural ethos and embraces all religions, embodying the idea of “Unity in Diversity.”

Also read : Sikh Sangat Unites in Anandpur Sahib for 350th Martyrdom Tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Nanaksar Sampada Baba Ghala Singh, Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale, and Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, the leader of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, were also present at the sammelan. The Guru’s martyrdom, they stressed, was the final lesson in Manukhta (Humanity).

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, was praised by Dr. Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Chief Priest of the Judah Hyam Synagogue in New Delhi, for its solemn and impressive celebration of the Martyrdom Anniversary. “The path of Sewa (selfless service), Simran, and bravery for the oppressed is illuminated by the lives of the Ten Sikh Gurus.” The world requires the exact balance of Bhakti (devotion) and Shakti (strength), which this reflects,” he said.

Sikhs are the pride of the country, according to Buddhist Sh. Bhikkhu Sanghsena Ji, who echoed the sense of service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized their exceptional sewa. In order to motivate future generations to serve others without expecting anything in return, he asked the central government to incorporate the spirit of Sikhism into our curriculum.

Father John, speaking on behalf of Bishop Jose Sebastian, described the martyrdom as a rare act of giving one’s life for the sake of another’s faith, while Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living International Ashram, honored the Guru’s unmatched sacrifice for Dharm.

Gaddi Nasheen of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, skillfully captured the core of the teachings of the Ninth Guru. The “Hind di Chadar’s” enormous sacrifice is remembered by the congregation.

The Kashmiri Pandit community also found great emotional meaning in the event, and their delegates conveyed their sincere appreciation for the Guru’s sacrifice on behalf of their forefathers’ right to religious freedom.

At the conclave, notable figures like Rajyogini Dr. Binny Sareen (Brahma Kumaris), Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni (Jain Community), Syed Afsar Ali Nizami, Chairman of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia RA, New Delhi, Mahant Gyandev (Nirmal Akhara), and Sri Mat Jagadguru Shankaracharya Devadattananda Saraswati Maharaj, Delhi, among others, reaffirmed the timeless significance of the Guru’s teachings.

Also read : Punjab CM Mann & Arvind Kejriwal Begin Akhand Path for Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom

At the historic Sarb Dharm Sammelan, it was decided that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s martyrdom is a source of inspiration and that people should fight against oppression and support religious freedom and human dignity. This assembly is a testament to the strength of faith, reflecting a common dedication to world peace and harmony.