India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, paid tribute to the 9th Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, at a solemn gathering marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas in Canberra on 29 November.
The event, hosted by the Australia India Punjabi Council (AIPC) as its inaugural initiative, brought together community members, elected representatives and diplomats to reflect on the Guru’s sacrifice, his message of universal humanity and the enduring values he championed.
AIPC leaders described the event as an effort to highlight Punjab’s harmonious legacy and to foster unity among Punjabi communities in Australia and beyond. The AIPC President said the organisation aimed to bring Punjabis together across generations and build bridges with other communities.
Speakers revisited the events of November 1675, when Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his close associates were publicly executed in Delhi for refusing to submit to the Mughal Empire, an act that cemented his legacy as the protector of religious freedom.
The audience also heard about a commemorative postage stamp and a special coin issued by the Government of India to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary.
High Commissioner Baglay said the Guru’s sacrifice represented courage, righteousness and an unwavering commitment to freedom in the face of brutal adversity. He noted that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s teachings transcend borders and faiths and would continue to inspire future generations with their message of compassion and universal love.
He also highlighted commemorations led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the week at Kurukshetra and pointed to ongoing government initiatives to preserve Sikh heritage, including the Kartarpur Corridor, the Hemkund Sahib ropeway, the expansion of the Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum and the annual observance of Veer Bal Diwas.
The sangat (holy congregation) also heard from Hon David Smith MP, Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, the High Commissioner of Fiji to Australia Ajay Amrit, and several community leaders. The gathering included Shabad Kirtan, recitations from the Guru Granth Sahib and Langar, the traditional free community kitchen serving all attendees.
Indian community events in Australia continue to enrich the nation’s multicultural fabric. The High Commission and Indian Consulates regularly support festivals, cultural showcases and community service initiatives that embody the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” the belief that the world is one family.
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