The North News
Sri Anandpur Sahib, November 24
A major interfaith gathering was held in Sri Anandpur Sahib as religious leaders from Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities came together to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur here on Sunday.
The Sarb Dharm Sammelan, held at the main pandal of Baba Buddha Dal Chhauni, brought together prominent spiritual figures who paid tribute to the ninth Sikh Guru, describing him as a universal symbol of righteousness and a defender of religious freedom.
Punjab ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Tarunpreet Singh Sond welcomed the delegates, saying the conclave offered a powerful platform to reflect on the Guru’s legacy as a guiding light for humanity.
Senior Sikh leaders—including Baba Balbir Singh of Buddha Dal, Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, and Baba Sewa Singh Rampur Kherewale—led calls for unity, compassion and service, invoking the Sikh principles of Naam Japo and Vand Chhako. They said the Guru Granth Sahib embodies India’s spirit of pluralism and coexistence.
Radha Soami Satsang Beas head Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale and Nanaksar Sampada’s Baba Ghala Singh also joined the gathering, emphasising Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom as the ultimate expression of humanity.
Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Chief Priest of the Judah Hyam Synagogue in Delhi, praised the Punjab government for honouring the Guru’s legacy. He said the teachings of the Sikh Gurus represented a blend of devotion, courage and service much needed in the world today.
Buddhist leader Bhikkhu Sanghsena highlighted the Sikh community’s widespread service during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging the Centre to integrate Sikh values into educational curricula. Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar called the Guru’s sacrifice a timeless defence of dharma, while Christian representative Father John described it as a rare act of giving one’s life for the faith of others.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty of the Chishty Foundation evoked the Guru’s title “Hind di Chadar”, while Kashmiri Pandit representatives expressed deep gratitude, recalling the Guru’s sacrifice for their ancestors’ right to practise their faith freely.
Other participants included Acharya Lokesh Muni of the Jain community, Rajyogini Dr Binny Sareen of the Brahma Kumaris, Syed Afsar Ali Nizami from Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, Shankaracharya Devadattananda Saraswati and Mahant Gyandev of Nirmal Akhara, all of whom underscored the relevance of the Guru’s message in today’s world.
The event closed with a collective call for global peace, urging people to resist tyranny and uphold human dignity and religious pluralism.
