Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that history bears no parallel to the Sikh faith when it comes to making such supreme sacrifices to protect religion and Hindustan. He said that had these sacrifices not been made, perhaps neither Hindus nor Hindustan would have survived. Through their martyrdom, they safeguarded the nation and upheld dharma. All four Sahibzadas laid down their lives for their faith—two attained martyrdom while fighting the Mughals in battle, while the two younger Sahibzadas were bricked alive. The Sahibzadas chose martyrdom but refused to abandon their faith. This, he said, stands as the greatest sacrifice in world history made for the protection of religion.

Sh. Vij was addressing devotees during a langar service organized in memory of the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas in front of the Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment.

The Energy Minister further said that, like the Sahibzadas, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji also embraced martyrdom for the protection of faith. He recalled that Hindu priests, distressed by the oppression of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, had approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for protection, stating that they were being forced to convert. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji challenged the Mughal court, saying that if he were converted first, others would follow. Aurangzeb subjected Guru Ji to severe torture to force conversion, but Guru Ji remained steadfast in his resolve. Eventually, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was beheaded. His sacrifice for dharma, Sh. Vij said, will remain immortal through the ages.

Sh. Vij said that these days are being observed as Shaheedi Diwas, and langar services are being organized everywhere in remembrance of the Sahibzadas and the Gurus. On the Ambala–Chandigarh road, langars are being set up at intervals of every half kilometer so that people remember the sacrifices made by the Gurus and Sahibzadas and remain firm in their faith.

During the langar service, Energy Minister Anil Vij participated in the Ardas, paid obeisance, and bowed his head in tribute to the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas. He also served langar to the devotees. On the occasion, former SGPC member Harpal Singh Pali, B.S. Bindra, Suraj Rana, Sunil Chopra, Praveen Sahni, Ajay Kapoor, Jasveer Singh, Manmohan Singh, Prabhjot Singh and others were present.