'Give strength to every Indian': PM Modi lauds Sahibzadas' supreme sacrifice; vows to end 'slave mentality' in 10 years

NEW DELHI: Extolling the valour of the Sahibzade (sons) of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, PM Narendra Modi Friday said their supreme sacrifice represents the ultimate expression of India's indomitable courage, against the cruel Mughal Sultanate, shaking the very existence of religious fanaticism and terror.

The PM said the saga of the 'Sahibzades' sacrifice should have been on the lips of every citizen, but unfortunately, even after independence, the mentality of slavery continued to dominate. "That is why, for decades after independence, attempts were made to suppress such truths," he added.

Asserting that India has resolved to free itself from the "colonial mindset" once and for all, the seeds of which were sown by British politician Thomas Babington Macaulay in 1835, Modi said that in this effort India's linguistic diversity is emerging as a source of strength. The PM said it will be ensured that 10 years from now the nation is completely free from the "mentality of slavery".

"Macaulay had tried to crush India's language diversity, but now, as our nation frees itself from the mentality of slavery, linguistic diversity is becoming our strength," Modi said while speaking at a programme at Bharat Mandapam on 'Veer Bal Diwas', observed annually since 2022 to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh the sons of Guru Gobind Singh (10th Sikh Guru).

"The valor and ideals of Mata Gujri, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the four Sahibzadas continue to give strength to every Indian even today; they remain our inspiration," the PM said.

"Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji - at such a tender age, they had to confront the mightiest power of that time. That battle was between the fundamental values of India and religious fanaticism," the PM added.

"Our Sahibzadas were very young at that time. But Aurangzeb, in his cruelty, did not care about their age. He knew that if he wanted to frighten Indians into conversion, he would first have to break their morale but not one of the four Sahibzadas wavered," the PM added.

"The memories of our sacrifices and valor will no longer be buried. The heroes and heroines of our nation will no longer be pushed to the margins," Modi said.

Addressing children and youth in the audience, the PM also stressed that "Gen Z & Gen Alpha" will lead India to the goal of a "Viksit Bharat".
Select The Times of India as your preferred source on Google Search