PM offers prayers at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a visit to Gurudwara Rakab Ganj on Sunday and paid tributes to Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, for his supreme sacrifice. Guru Teg Bahadur, whose death anniversary was observed on Saturday, was cremated at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj.

The visit assumes significance as some political observers see it as a timed move as thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab, is agitating in New Delhi against the Centre’s new farm laws.

PM Modi has been at pains to explain the benefits of farm reforms and often assured farmers that the existing government mechanism to support them, including minimum support price and agriculture mandis, will continue.

Modi offered prayers during his visit to the gurudwara for which no police bandobast or traffic barriers were put in place to restrict the movement of the common man, official sources said.

The PM tweeted after his visit, “This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.”

He also tweeted in Punjabi and noted that the Guru gave the supreme sacrifice while defending Hindu religion and spread the message of universal brotherhood.
Hailed in religious traditions as a defender of Hindus and Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur was executed by the Mughals for defying them.

In another tweet, Modi said, “It is the special Kripa of the Guru Sahibs that we will mark the special occasion of the 400th Parkash Parv of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji during our Governments tenure. Let us mark this blessed occasion in a historic way and celebrate the ideals of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.”

(With inputs from Agencies)