SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB: In a profound display of unity that transcended all religious boundaries, the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib today hosted a historic Sarb Dharm Sammelan (Interfaith Conference) at the main pandaal of Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni, where an illustrious spiritual and religious leaders from Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism gathered to mark the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
The atmosphere was charged with reverence as religious and spiritual leaders, in one resonant voice, paid homage to the Ninth Sikh Guru, remembering him as a universal emblem of righteousness and an eternal protector of religious freedom.
Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond welcomed the spiritual and religious leaders in Sarb Dharm Sammelan. They said that the Sammelan served as a powerful platform for leaders to reflect on the Guru’s legacy, which they described as a guiding light for all humanity.
The event was graced by the presence of revered Sikh leaders including Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal’s Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, Damdami Taksal Head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa and Baba Sewa Singh Rampur Kherewale spearheaded a message of love, harmony, peace and humanity - Naam Japo, Vand Chhako. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji embodies the spirit of 'Unity in Diversity', embracing all faiths and reflecting India's rich cultural ethos.
Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale, Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas) and Nanaksar Sampada Baba Ghala Singh also attended the sammelan. They emphasized that the Guru’s martyrdom was the ultimate lesson in Manukhta (Humanity).
Dr. Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Chief Priest of Judah Hyam Synagogue, New Delhi, commended Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government for its devout and grand commemoration of the Martyrdom Anniversary. “The lives of the Ten Sikh Gurus illuminate the path of Sewa (selfless service), Simran and courage for the oppressed. This embodies a perfect synergy of Bhakti (devotion) and Shakti (strength) that the world needs today, ” he stated.
Echoing the sentiment of service, Sh. Bhikkhu Sanghsena Ji from the Buddhist community hailed the Sikh community as the pride of the nation. He highlighted their exemplary sewa during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The spirit of Sikhism must be integrated into our educational curriculum to inspire future generations toward selfless service, ” he urged the centre government.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living International Ashram, paid homage to the Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice for Dharm, while Father John, representing Bishop Jose Sebastian, defined the martyrdom as a supreme example for the entire world—a rare act of sacrificing one’s life for the faith of others.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, Gaddi Nasheen of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, beautifully encapsulated the essence of the Ninth Guru’s teachings. The congregation remembers the great sacrifice of the ‘Hind di Chadar.’
The gathering also held deep emotional significance for the Kashmiri Pandit community, whose representatives expressed profound gratitude, acknowledging the Guru’s sacrifice for their ancestors' right to religious freedom.
The conclave featured luminaries such as Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni (Jain Community), Rajyogini Dr. Binny Sareen (Brahma Kumaris) and Syed Afsar Ali Nizami, Chairman Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia RA, New Delhi, Mahant Gyandev (Nirmal Akhara), Sri Mat Jagadguru Shankaracharya Devadattananda Saraswati Maharaj, Delhi among others, all of whom reinforced the enduring relevance of the Guru’s message.
The historic Sarb Dharm Sammelan culminated in a resounding resolve that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji's martyrdom is a beacon of inspiration, while urging humanity to stand against tyranny and champion human dignity and religious pluralism. This gathering exemplifies the power of collective faith, echoing a shared commitment to global peace and harmony.