On Friday, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, participated in a commendation ceremony organized by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. During the event, he underscored the enduring contributions of the Sikh community to India, which have encompassed their historic involvement in the struggle for independence and their unwavering dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shah expressed profound admiration for the sacrifices made by the Sikh community and stressed that the exceptional contributions of the Sikh Gurus to the nation are beyond any form of recompense. He stated, \”No one in the world can match the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus for the betterment of humanity and the country.\”
The Sikh community boasts a rich legacy of confronting invaders, opposing injustice, and making sacrifices over ten generations. Shah emphasized that the sacrifices made by the Gurus for the betterment of humanity and the nation are unparalleled on a global scale, commanding respect from individuals worldwide who possess knowledge of history.
Shah acknowledged the Sikh community\’s steadfast dedication to India, whether it was during the struggle for independence, the resistance against the Mughals and British colonial rule, the partition, or their ongoing sacrifices for the nation. He paid homage to the Sikh Gurus and the community, noting their equal devotion to both their faith and their actions.
Shah lauded the Sikhs for their unwavering spirit of selflessness, particularly in their response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted that their actions serve as a testament to their profound understanding of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Teg Bahadur, which emphasize equality and service to humanity.
The Home Minister also drew attention to the efforts of the government led by Prime Minister Modi in delivering justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He underscored that substantial progress was achieved after 2014, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that led to the imprisonment of those responsible for the riots.
Furthermore, Shah recognized the positive impact of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on the Sikh community, noting that many Sikhs from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan have been granted Indian citizenship under the CAA. The Act, initially introduced in 2016 and subsequently reintroduced in 2019, was designed to provide citizenship to illegal immigrants who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, belonging to specific religious minorities and countries.
Several distinguished figures, including the Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Baldev Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, National Minorities Commission chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, and Tarlochan Singh, were also in attendance.