Remembering the ‘Hind Di Chadar’: Sangh Parivar marks 350 years of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s supreme sacrifice

The martyrdom of Hind Di Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has, for centuries, stood as a towering symbol of religious freedom, moral courage, and India’s pluralistic ethos.

- DEEPAK SETIA

In 1675, the Ninth Sikh Guru chose death over abandoning his principles when confronted by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, sacrificing his life to defend the religious rights of persecuted communities. His unmatched act of courage continues to inspire people across faiths, reflecting India’s enduring commitment to dignity, tolerance, and universal justice.

This year, as the nation commemorates the 350th anniversary of his supreme sacrifice, the Government of India has declared 25 November a national holiday marking the Guru’s Shaheedi Parv. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), observing its own centenary year, has organised programmes across its shakhas nationwide to honour the Guru's legacy. BJP-led state governments too held a series of commemorative events, while the Centre is set to release a special coin and a commemorative postage stamp in tribute.

RSS LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATES NATIONWIDE WITH MOHAN BHAGWAT IN AYODHYA

In Ayodhya, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat addressed devotees at Gurdwara Brahmkund Sahib. Calling Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice “an unparalleled act of courage for the protection of dharma and human rights,” Bhagwat said the Guru's message of standing with the oppressed remains timeless. He reminded the gathering that the Guru’s martyrdom came in response to the appeal of Kashmiri Pandits facing severe persecution under Aurangzeb—an episode that profoundly shaped India’s civilisational narrative.

HOSABALE IN KANPUR; AMBEKAR'S MESSAGE FROM JABALPUR