By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The sacrifice of two boys Zorawar and Fateh Singh for the protection of religion is unforgettable. During the Mughal rule, many brutal atrocities were committed on the Indian Sanatani for religious conversion. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb used to force them to convert to religion with force or with the sharp edge of the sword. Those who disobeyed this were brutally killed. On December 22, 1704, a battle took place between the Khalsa and the Mughals on the banks of the Sirsa river. At that time, 40 Sikhs fought a religious war against one and a half lakh Mughal soldiers. In this war, the two eldest sons of Sikh religious leader Gobind Singh, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, along with the remaining 38 Sikh warriors, attained martyrdom on the battlefield.
While Bibi Sharan Kaur was performing the last rites of the martyrs, she was also thrown alive into the burning fire and brutally murdered. The brutal atrocities of the Mughals did not stop there. The two children, 7-year-old Sahebzada Baba Zorabar Singh and 9-year-old Baba Fateh Singh, who had refused to convert, were kept in the ‘Thanda Bujar Fort’ for two days and were buried alive inside the brick walls on the third day. But when the brick walls collapsed, the Mughals again showed their cruelty and barbarity by slitting the throats of the two tender-hearted children. The story of the bravery of the brave Sahebzadas amazed the whole world. The courage and ideals of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four brave Sahebzadas inspire every Indian today. This day of the great contribution of the tenth Sikh Guru to protect the honor of the country and the sacrifice of the Sikh tradition has been recorded in history.
‘Veer Baal’ Day was celebrated at the State Office today. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parvathi Parida, while participating in the program, shed light on the great personalities who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the national religion. On the call of the Prime Minister, ‘Veer Baal’ Day is being celebrated in every school and college. Bravery and courage have no age. Even in the face of injustice in difficult situations, Sahebzada Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh did not give up their religion and the values of sacrifice and made the supreme sacrifice.
There are many examples of brave boys in the history of Odisha. Even small and tender-hearted children can be a great inspiration for the country and society, ‘Veer Baal Day’ teaches us, said Smt. Parida.
As the guest of honour, Shri Jitender Singh, Editor of Bhubaneswar Gurdwara Singh Sabha, said that today is not just a date but a day to pay tribute to the two boys who abandoned their luxurious lifestyle and showed truth, bravery and courage. On the occasion of the annual birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on January 9, 2022, the late Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi declared December 26 as ‘Bir Baal’ Day. Since then, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for celebrating this day every year across the country.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri K.V. Singh Deo said that the Sikh community should learn how to do devotion, service and renunciation. There are many stories of sacrifice in the heroic story of India which were lost. They were not described in the education policy of India. After becoming the Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi has taken steps to convey that culture of India. ‘Bir Baal’ Day reminds us that it is not age but bravery and determination that are important to reach the peak of renunciation.
It is essential for all the students of the country and the state to know about Sahebzada. Everyone should know about the two tender-hearted boys who made the supreme sacrifice in protesting against the brutal Mughals’ forced religious conversion. The main objective is to save our religion, culture and tradition. In this context, today, discussions and discussions were held in all the educational institutions of the state regarding the sacrifices of Bal Bir Jordar Singh and Fateh Singh, said Public Education Minister Shri Nityanand Gand.
It is our responsibility to inform the future generations and heirs about the heroic deeds of the world’s youngest martyrs, Sahebzada Baba Zorabar Singh and 9-year-old Baba Fateh Singh. The efforts made by Prime Minister Modi to bring many such heroic deeds that are being erased from the pages of history to the public are highly commendable, said State Vice President and State Coordinator of this program Shri Bishnu Dash.
Gurubani was read at the beginning of the meeting. Bhubaneswar District President Shri Niranjan Mishra presided over the program. Among others, Bhubaneswar Gurdwara Singh Sabha member Shri Amarjit Singh, State General Secretary (Organization) Shri Manas Mohanty, Senior Leader Sudipta Roy, along with state officials and workers were present.
Praising the bravery of the children of the Sikh community, BJP leaders and workers visited the Gurudwara in Kharawela Nagar, Bhubaneswar this morning to pay homage to Bal Bir Jordar Singh and Fateh Singh and attended a prayer meeting.
