Harpal Singh Cheema paid tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at a historic Punjab Assembly session, highlighting Sikh sacrifice and rising intolerance in the nation.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema gave heartfelt homage to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom anniversary while speaking before the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s historic special session, which was held at the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Speaking at the event honoring “Rangretta Guru Ka Beta,” the Finance Minister emphasized that Guru Sahib gave his life to defend the rights of people and the religion, calling the Ninth Guru’s ultimate sacrifice unmatched in human history.

In his speech to the House, Cheema discussed the Sikhs’ special tradition of sacrifice and recalled the four generations of martyrs who came before him: Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Mata Gujri Ji, and the four Sahibzade. He claimed that he has not yet come across any other history in the world where such enormous sacrifices were made in order to promote peace, bring people together, and maintain respect for all religions. He claimed that the Gurus provided a message of universal brotherhood that now serves as a safeguard against oppression.

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Moving on to the current state of the nation, the Finance Minister voiced grave concerns about the spread of intolerance and the deterioration of democratic values across the nation. He emphasized the frequency of caste-based atrocities, citing previous speakers’ comments about violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh.

Citing recent challenges to Punjab’s claim to its capital, Chandigarh, as well as efforts to erode the state’s agricultural, educational, and river water systems, Cheema claimed that Punjab is also being singled out. He did, however, assert that the three crore people of Punjab, who adhere to the Gurus’ teachings, are still dedicated to defending the nation’s unity and integrity and will fight tenaciously for the state’s rights.

Additionally, the Finance Minister praised CM Mann for preserving Bhai Jaita Ji’s legacy through legislative action as well as symbolic gestures. He emphasized the importance of the AAP government’s Punjab Law Officers Bill, which guarantees representation for underrepresented groups in the High Court—a move that, he claimed, hasn’t been made in the previous 75 years. Cheema was particularly proud that the meeting was taking place at Bhai Jaita Ji’s memorial, paying respect to the courageous fighters who stood by the Gurus.

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Cheema congratulated the Speaker and the Chief Minister for taking the historic step of hosting the Assembly session on this hallowed ground as he wrapped up his remarks. “The world is watching this session and seeing how much the current Punjab Government respects the Gurus and their loyal followers, such as Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dyala Ji,” he said.