The Hindu : Sikh Guru memorial foundation stone laid

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sikh Guru memorial foundation stone laid

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB.18. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, today called upon the people of the country to wage a battle against the communal forces who are dividing people in the name of religion and by sowing seeds of hatred among the different communities. "Violence and hatred have never benefited any party or individual in the long run,'' said Ms. Gandhi after laying the foundation stone of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial at Singhu border in North-West Delhi today.

The highlight of the occasion was presenting of "siropa'' to Ms.Gandhi by senior Akali Dal (Shiromani) leader, Paramjit Singh Sarna, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president, Prahlad Singh Chandok, in the presence of a large Sikh gathering, one of the biggest addressed by a Congress leader during recent times. Ms. Gandhi took out the sword from the sheath and held it high with a war cry "Wahe Guruji Da Khalsa Wahe Guruji Di Fateh''. Also present on stage were the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, the Delhi Assembly Speaker, Ajay Maken, the Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely, the PWD Minister, A.K. Walia, senior AICC leader in-charge Delhi, Ahmed Patel, the AICC secretary, Anil Shastri, senior AICC leaders, Motilal Vora, R.K. Dhawan, Natwar Singh and the DPCC president, Chaudhary Prem Singh.

Declaring that the Sikhs had made a significant contribution in the freedom struggle, the Congress president said that it was time to build a new India with dedication and love. She applauded the Sikh community for having brought laurels to the country in India and abroad. She urged the people to take a pledge that they would combat the communal forces and those out to divide the people in the name of religion and caste. She said the inspiration of freedom struggle came from the principles followed by Guru Tegh Bahadur who had sacrificed his life for the cause of humanity nearly 300 years ago. Terming the building of the memorial as a good step, Ms. Gandhi said this was a befitting tribute to the Sikh Guru and would help in further propagating the cause of humanity. The Congress president patted the Delhi Government for having thought of coming up with this state-of-the-art memorial at the entry point of Delhi.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chief Minister said that Guru Tegh Bahadur was also known as "Hind Ki Chadar''. In reference to the supreme sacrifice of the ninth Sikh guru, Ms. Dikshit said the star was still shining and giving inspiration. She said Guru Tegh Bahadur had a special place in history. The two historical gurdwaras of Delhi -- Sisganj where he and his disciples made the supreme sacrifice and Rakabganj Gurdwara, his final resting place, are now an important pilgrimage for Sikhs. The guru along with his three sons had laid down their lives and attained martyrdom. The Rs. 6.6-crore project would be executed and completed in 18 months time. Speaking in chaste Punjabi on the occasion, Mr. Lovely said the Sheila Dikshit Government under the guidance of Ms. Gandhi had been taking various steps for the welfare of the Sikhs and this new memorial was another step in that direction. The renowned Sikh commentator, Jasdev Singh, was engaged by the Delhi Government to coordinate the event.

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