• The Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Inspires Humanity, Compassion and the Courage to Stand with Truth: Taranjit Singh Sandhu Guru Sahib’s Life and Thought Need to Be Read Not Merely as History but as a Contemporary Way of Life: Prof. Rama

New Delhi, 21 September 2026. On the sacred occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a one-day National Seminar on ‘The Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’ was organised today at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, under the joint aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Sahitya Akademi and Hansraj College, University of Delhi.

The seminar was graced by the presence of Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The day-long programme brought together scholars, writers and academicians from various universities to deliberate on the Bani, life, personality, martyrdom and universal humanistic ideas of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with particular emphasis on their relevance in the contemporary context. Addressing the seminar, Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that a discussion on the Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji remains extremely relevant even today. He said that the journey of Guru Sahib, which began from Patna Sahib, has today reached people across the country and beyond, and that his Bani continues to command deep faith and reverence among people.

He observed that Guru Sahib’s Bani conveys a message of freedom from fear, compassion and enlightenment, and inspires individuals to stand with truth, uphold their values and raise their voice for the rights and dignity of others. He said that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji represents one of the highest examples of human and moral sacrifice in Indian history. His life conveys the enduring message that one must not hesitate to make the highest sacrifice when required to protect truth, freedom and human dignity. Shri Sandhu called upon the youth to not merely read Guru Sahib’s Bani but to imbibe its message in their lives. Linking ‘Chardi Kala’ with continuous enthusiasm, courage and the spirit to move forward, he said that Guru Sahib’s teachings emphasise respect and equality for all human beings. The message of respecting every individual beyond caste and social distinctions is clearly reflected in his thought. He also noted the close affinity between the spirit of ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’ and Guru Sahib’s universal message.

Shri Sandhu referred to Guru Ka Bagh and the 1921 Guru Ka Bagh Movement in Amritsar, describing it as an important historical memory of the struggle to uphold values and rights. He also referred to the work of Ruchi Ram Sahni in this context. He said that remembering Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as ‘Hind Ki Chadar’ in the history of Indian humanity is a matter of great pride. He called upon young people to channel their energy towards nation-building and the service of society and humanity. He also described the initiative of Sahitya Akademi and Hansraj College as an important effort to take the teachings and ideas of Guru Sahib to the younger generation. Prof. Rama said that, in the personality of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, religion was not merely a matter of faith but also represented the courage to stand up for values and human dignity. She emphasised the need to read Guru Sahib not merely as a chapter in history but as a living thought and a way of life.

She said that standing up for truth and exercising independent thought are also important expressions of freedom. Describing the strength of Indian culture as being rooted in its diversity, she said that Guru Sahib’s life brings forth the values of tolerance, respect and human dignity embedded in the Indian tradition. She also remembered the courage and sacrifice of the child martyrs, along with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and observed that the values they established would continue to inspire society and future generations. She described the organisation of such a serious intellectual engagement on Guru Sahib’s life and thought as a matter of pride for Hansraj College and Delhi. Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji dedicated his life not for himself but for the larger good of the country, religion and humanity. He described the initiative of Sahitya Akademi as a humble effort to remember the historical and cultural debt owed to Guru Sahib.

He said that the Bani of Guru Sahib encompasses a vast body of human knowledge and experience. He observed that the protection of human rights and the principle of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’, or the welfare of all, represent two dimensions of the same broad humanistic vision. Highlighting the significance of ‘Nirbhau, Nirvair’—freedom from fear and enmity—he said that Guru Sahib’s Bani inspires human beings to live free from fear and hatred. Shri Kaushik also referred to Guru Sahib’s concept of Meeri-Peeri and Raag Jaijavanti, describing his Bani as an invaluable part of India’s spiritual, cultural and literary heritage. The various sessions of the seminar examined the Sikh intellectual tradition from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Speakers discussed different dimensions of Guru Sahib’s Bani, literary and spiritual thought, life values and martyrdom, relating them to contemporary concerns.

The concept of religion, human freedom, fearlessness, compassion, equality, truth, independent thought and human dignity remained central to the deliberations. The significance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom was also discussed in the broader context of faith, values, religious freedom and the protection of human rights. Shri Kuldeep Singh Agnihotri, Vice-President, Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi, spoke on the idea of ‘Establishing Indianness through Dialogue’, highlighting the importance of dialogue, diversity and coexistence among different intellectual and cultural traditions in India. The sessions also discussed the role of the Banjara community in Sikh history, bringing out an important social dimension of the historical tradition.

Prof. Jagbir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, connected the broader discussion with contemporary India and situated the Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji within the Indian Rishi tradition. He drew attention to the values relating to humanity, truth, self-realisation and the welfare of society that are reflected in the Bani and have remained part of India’s long intellectual tradition. He emphasised the need to understand the Sanatan and Sikh traditions not merely as two separate streams, but as value systems nourished by a shared Indian civilisational and ethical tradition, while highlighting the continuity of Indian thought.

The other sessions were attended by Shri Virendra Pal, Registrar, Kurukshetra University; Shri Ravinder Singh, noted Punjabi writer; Prof. Jagbir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab; Shri Kuldeep Singh Agnihotri, Vice-President, Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Akademi; Ms. Shweta Singh, Convener, Punjabi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi; and Shri Naveen Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, among several other scholars, writers and academicians. Participants shared their perspectives on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Bani, his literary and spiritual thought, and the human values reflected in his life and teachings. Throughout the day-long National Seminar, the Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and its universal human message remained at the centre of the deliberations.

The speakers emphasised that Guru Sahib’s Bani and life philosophy are not confined to any particular period or community. The values of fearlessness, compassion, equality, independent thought, human dignity, truth and the welfare of all remain relevant even today. The seminar provided an opportunity to examine Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Bani through the interconnected perspectives of literature, spirituality, history and contemporary society. It served as a meaningful platform for reflecting on the continuing relevance of his life and message.

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