New Delhi, Dec 25 (UNI) India's integrity is intact because of Sikh Gurus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday as he hailed their role in fighting against foreign invaders like Mughals besides religious fanaticism.
Modi was remotely addressing pilgrims at the Lakhpati Sahib Gurdwara in Gujarat's Kutch. He credited the sound integrity of the vast nation to the Sikh Gurus who sowed its seeds fighting foreign invaders.
He also hailed the BJP government under him for making the decades-long dream of the community of the Kartarpur Corridor come true.
Celebrating 400 years of the Prakash Utsav of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the PM also spoke about the recent successful bringing back of the Guru Granth Sahib from Afghaistan.
A 700-bed modern hospital in Jamnagar has also been named after Guru Gobind Singh. "It has been a matter of pride for Gujarat that the fourth Sikh Guru among the Panj Pyaras, who played an important role in the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, was from Gujarat itself," he said.
Modi also told the pilgrims that the US has returned more than 150 historical items to India a few months ago. It included a small sword on which was engraved the name of Hargobindji in Persian.
"Our government also got the privilege of bringing these things back," he said.
He recalled the valor and sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb that reminds us how the country fought terror and religious fanaticism.
"Similarly, the life of the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib is also a living example of tenacity and sacrifice at every step," PM Modi said, adding that the contribution of Sikh gurus was not limited only to society and spirituality. "Rather, if India's faith and integrity is intact today, then it is due to the penance of the Sikh Gurus," he said.
"Our Sikh Gurus have augmented the morale of the Indian society. Guru Nanak Devji and our gurus kept India and its consciousness safe. When the country was weakening in the name of caste, then Guru Nanak Devji inspired his followers to see the light of God in everyone.
"Guru Nanak is not identified by any caste.
"When foreign invaders tried to grab India's power and wealth by the strength of their sword, Guru Nanak Devji inspired such valour in his disciples and the other Sikh gurus that they did not hesitate to lay down their lives.
"Babur brought the sword of sin and oppression from Kabul. Babur scared Indians, there was so much atrocities at that time, however, Guru Nanak Devji, and our Sikh Gurus did not hesitate to lay down their lives for the country.," Modi said.
The prime minister's address to the Sikh community came just two days after a blast in Ludhiana and several alleged attempts at sacrilege in the poll-bound state of Punjab.
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