Recalling his visit to Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib earlier in the day, Shri Radhakrishnan said he paid humble respects to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, whom he described as a beacon of moral courage. The Vice-President emphasised that the Guru’s life and sacrifice belong not only to the Sikh community but today
He observed that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji stands as one of history’s most extraordinary affirmations of religious freedom. The Guru, he said, did not lay down his life for political authority or religious supremacy, but to defend the fundamental right of individuals to live and worship according to their conscience.
Shield for the Persecuted
At a time marked by widespread intolerance, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji stood firmly as a shield for the persecuted, the Vice-President said. His sacrifice demonstrated that true faith demands the courage to stand against injustice, even at the cost of one’s own life.
Highlighting the timeless relevance of the Guru’s teachings, Shri Radhakrishnan noted that courage guided by compassion has the power to transform societies. Silence in the face of injustice, he added, is incompatible with true spirituality. It is for these enduring values that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is honoured with the title ‘Hind Di Chadar’.
India’s Unity in Diversity
The Vice-President underlined that India’s greatest strength has always been its unity in diversity. From ancient times, Bharat has welcomed diverse faiths, philosophies and cultures, a spirit that later found constitutional expression through fundamental rights guaranteeing liberty of thought, belief and worship.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, he said the idea reflects India’s civilizational soul. He urged citizens to collectively work towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, rooted in harmony, inclusion and shared progress.
India’s Message to the World
Addressing contemporary global challenges, the Vice-President said India is increasingly offering solutions to complex global issues. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India successfully translated the Upanishadic ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” into the G20 theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
He highlighted India’s leadership on climate action through Mission LiFE and recalled the country’s humanitarian role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when vaccines were supplied free of cost to more than 100 nations under the Vaccine Maitri initiative.
Relevance in Today’s World
Quoting the ancient Tamil maxim “Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir”, meaning the whole world is one family, the Vice-President said India’s civilizational ethos continues to inspire global harmony. He stressed that peace cannot be imposed by force but must be built on justice, empathy and respect for human dignity.
The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, he concluded, resonates deeply with the spirit of India, where unity is built not through uniformity but through mutual respect and understanding.