Walled Alive For Refusing To Convert: Prime Minister Modi Pays Tribute To Martyrdom Of Sahibzades On Veer Bal Diwas

In an evocative speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the martyred sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, who were bricked alive in a wall by the Mughal army for their refusal to convert to Islam. 

Prime Minister Modi was addressing a programme marking the first ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi. On 9 January 2022, he had declared that 26 December would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to mark the martyrdom of the two sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Veer Bal Diwas in celebrating the bravery, selflessness and sacrifices of the young generation.

He highlighted the significant contributions and sacrifices made by the 10 Sikh gurus and the Sikh tradition in safeguarding the honour of the nation, while adding that Veer Bal Diwas serves as an annual reminder of India's identity and history, and encourages us to honour our past while building towards the future.

The Prime Minister remarked that the world's thousand-year history is filled with instances of immense cruelty, but the character and heroism of our heroes shines throughout these pages. He recalled the unprecedented wars that took place in Chamkaur and Sirhind just three centuries ago on Indian soil.

On one side, there was the powerful Mughal Sultanate fuelled by terror and religious fanaticism, and on the other, there were the Gurus, guided by India's ancient knowledge and spirituality. The Mughals had an army of millions, while the Veer Sahibzades had only their courage to rely on.

Despite being outnumbered, they did not bow down to the Mughals and were eventually walled alive for their bravery. This act of valour has served as a source of inspiration for centuries.

The Prime Minister noted that a country with such a rich and illustrious past should have been filled with self-confidence and pride.

However, he lamented that certain narratives had been concocted, leading to a sense of inferiority within the country. Despite this, local traditions and society have kept these tales of glory alive.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of breaking free from narrow interpretations of the past in order to progress. He stated that the country has made a commitment to rid itself of all traces of a slave mentality in the 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal'; the Prime Minister also referred to Veer Bal Diwas as a "life force" for the 'Panch Prans' (India's goals for the next 25 years).

The determination and bravery of the Veer Sahibzades, who demonstrated to Aurangzeb and his followers that the young generation was not willing to succumb to cruelty and would stand firm to protect the nation's morale. This serves as a reminder of the vital role that young people play in shaping the destiny of a country.

"Aurangzeb and his people wanted to convert Guru Gobind Singh's children to convert by force of sword. When they resisted, the two innocent children were killed. Imagine the extent of cruelty that did not spare even children," he said.

In paying tribute to the Sikh Guru Parampara, the Prime Minister stated that it is not only a tradition of spirituality and sacrifice, but also a source of inspiration for the idea of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.

The Prime Minister pointed to the cosmopolitan and inclusive nature of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which includes the teachings and commentary of saints from all over India, and the life journey of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who selected the "Panch Pyare" from various regions of the country.

The Prime Minister expressed pride that one of the original Panch Pyare was from Dwarka, the same region where he hails from.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the unshakable resolve of Guru Gobind Singh and his family to prioritise the nation above all else, a tradition that serves as a great inspiration to the motto of 'Nation First'.

Prime Minister Modi said that India's young generation doesn't have to look anywhere else for inspiration. They could find many examples within this land.

He cited numerous examples of inspiring children, including Bharat, Bhakt Pruhlaad, Nachiketa, Dhruv, Bal Ram, Luv-Kush and Bal Krishna, and many other boys and girls from ancient to modern times who have been a reflection of India's valour.

The Prime Minister assured that the New India is working to correct the mistakes of the past by reclaiming its long-lost legacy. He pointed out that a country is identified by its principles and cautioned that when a nation's core values are changed, its future changes as well.

The Prime Minister stressed that the values of a nation can be preserved only when current generation has a rich understanding of the history of their land.

He added that young people often look for role models to learn from and find inspiration, and that is why the ideals of Lord Ram, Gautam Buddha, Lord Mahavir and Guru Nanak Dev, as well as the examples of Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji, are revered.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the rich culture and traditions of India, which are deeply rooted in religion and spirituality. He noted that the ancestors of our land shaped an Indian culture that is closely tied to festivals and beliefs, and it is important to preserve this consciousness.

That is why the country is working to revive the glory of the freedom struggle during the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav; and to bring the contributions of brave men and women and the tribal community to the forefront, he said.