After Delhi car blast: Red Fort gears up for first mega event; security stepped up as President Murmu & Shah likely to attend

NEW DELHI: Just weeks after the November 10 car blast near the Red Fort, the historic monument is preparing to host a major event marking the 350th death anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, officials said on Thursday.

The security has been stepped up significantly ahead of the three-day kirtan darbar, which will run from November 23 to 25 and is expected to draw nearly 50,000 people, the officials added.

Jasmain Singh Noni, secretary of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), said that President Droupadi Murmu and Union home minister Amit Shah are likely to attend the event, PTI reported.

Security tightened across Red Fort zone

The Delhi Police has put in place a multi-layer security grid involving CISF, Delhi Police, bomb squads and other agencies.

Around 25 additional CCTV cameras have been installed on routes leading to the Red Fort, while the DSGMC has set up 250–300 cameras for round-the-clock monitoring.

These measures came after the Delhi car explosion triggered by a "suicide bomber," which came after the busting of a "white-collar terror module" operating across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, that claimed 15 lives.

Even as the scars of the blast remain, the DSGMC officials said preparations for the commemorative event never stopped.

"Even when the incident happened, the work did not halt for a minute because this is for our Guru. Delhi Police assured us of maximum security. We have installed 250 to 300 CCTV cameras around the Red Fort to maintain vigil," he added.

He further said that while some people were initially hesitant to travel to Delhi after the explosion, the organisers reassured them. Now, attendance is expected to exceed 50,000.

Despite the recent blast, many visitors said they were not afraid to attend the commemorations. "We are courageous and God-fearing people. These blasts cannot shake our faith in God. When our Guru was not scared, who are we to fear anyone?" 71-year-old Paramjeet Singh Chadha, who visited the Red Fort on Wednesday told PTI.

Public advisories issued

Meanwhile, police personnel have been making announcements in the Chandni Chowk area, urging people to stay alert, verify tenants, record auto-rickshaw numbers and avoid taking food from strangers.

With enhanced surveillance and heavy deployment, officials say the Red Fort is ready to host the high-profile religious gathering despite the recent security scare.

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