NEW DELHI: Asserting that Ayodhya is a living proof of the strong unbreakable ties between Hindus and Sikhs, union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said the revered land has been visited by the Sikh Gurus and it was on instructions of Shri Guru Gobind Singhji that a Nihang army fought with the Mughals to protect the birthplace of Lord Ram.
In a series of posts on X following his visit to the Ram Lalla Temple and Gurudwara in Ayodhya, the minister highlighted the holy city’s historic significance.
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“When religion was in danger in Ayodhya, on the instructions of Sahib-e-Kamal Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Nihang army fought with the Mughals and defeated them to protect the birthplace of Shri Ram. Guru Ji’s teachings and ideals for the protection of religion and humanity are a source of inspiration for all of us,” Puri stated.
The minister further said, “ He must also be feeling happy after seeing the temple of Lord Shri Ram Lala Sarkar… The contribution of Pujya Guru Ji in the struggle and wait for Shri Ram Mandir can be experienced by coming here. I was overwhelmed by coming here,” he added.
Puri, who is union minister of petroleum and natural gas, also highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in untying the tangled knot of history.
“Due to the efforts of PM Narendra Modi, the tangled knot of history got unraveled and the country got the legacy of centuries-old patience. After countless sacrifices, renunciation and austerity, the country got a ‘Rashtra Mandir’ in the form of Lord Shri Ram’s temple. We are fortunate to have witnessed this,” he said.
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The Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla idol in the grand temple in Ayodhya was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January last year.
Puri said the court in its verdict had also referred to history and Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Ayodhya.
“Ayodhya is a living proof of the strong unbreakable ties between Hindus and Sikhs. The evidence is present. The first available evidence in the history of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi struggle is of the worship of Nihang Sikh Fakir Khalsa. As the basis of the decision, the Honourable Supreme Court has also confirmed its authenticity,” he said.
“During the Udasi of Jagannath Puri from Haridwar, in the year 1557 Vikrami, the first Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib held a discourse with the heads of the Pandit community and gave true teachings while sitting under a Bael tree on the banks of the Saryu (Brahmakund) ghat. That divine “bel” tree makes us feel his true teachings even today. It shows us the right path,” he added.
