Karnal, November 9: Union Housing, Energy and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom inspires us to work for society, religion, and the country.
The Union Minister was addressing the crowd before flagging off the Hind Ki Chadar Marathon, dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, at NDRI Chowk here today. He said that yatras are being organized in Karnal and across the country to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He said that thousands of youth have gathered today to pay homage to the martyrdom of the 9th Guru, Shri Tegh Bahadur.
The yatra (run) organized here is making history. Hundreds of youth started the 21-kilometer race at 5:30 a.m. and then the 10-kilometer race at 6:30 a.m. Now, 61,000 young men and women are participating in the 5-kilometer race. Mr. Manohar Lal said that this is not just a race, but a celebration of enthusiasm, passion, and emotion to pay tribute to those who liberated the country.

**The martyrdom of his comrades was also remembered.
He said that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur for the country and society occurred in 1675 AD. Guru Ji was sitting in a satsang when some Kashmiri Pandits, led by Kripa Ram, approached him and told him that they were being forced to convert and were being tortured. Guru Sahib then said that religious conversion could be stopped only if a great man sacrificed his life. Doing so would awaken the people.
His 9-year-old son (who later became the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji) sitting nearby asked, "Who else could be such a great man?" The Union Minister said that it is a matter of pride that a son told his father that if sacrifices are to be made, people like him should do so. Guru Sahib told Pandit Kripa Ram to tell the Sultan to first convert Guru Tegh Bahadur to Islam.
Upon receiving the message, the Sultan sent an army to arrest Guru Sahib, who was brought first to Sirhind and then to Delhi. Guru Sahib's companions—Bhai Matidas, Bhai Dayala Ji, and Bhai Sati Das—also offered to sacrifice themselves. Bhai Matidas was first sawed into pieces, Bhai Dayala was killed by burning in a cauldron of boiling oil, and Bhai Sati Das was wrapped in cotton, tied to a pole, and set on fire.

**Mention of the Sacrifice of a Youth from Badkhalsa
The Housing and Energy Minister stated that Guru Sahib's torso was separated from his head at Gurdwara Sheesh Ganj in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. He also mentioned a sacrifice associated with Haryana during the transportation of Guru Sahib's head from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib. He stated that a young man from Badkhalsa village in Sonipat district offered his head to save the head from the Mughal army.

**Green Flag for the Marathon
He then flagged off the marathon and showered flowers on the procession. Prior to this, the song "Hind Ki Chadar, Teg Bahadur" was launched in the Minister's presence. Kirtan and Shabad singing were also performed on this occasion. Participants chanted "Bole So Nihal" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai."
They displayed tremendous enthusiasm, zeal, and devotion. Youth also performed gatka on this occasion. A large number of youth arrived at NDRI Chowk at 5 a.m. to participate in the marathon. The Union Minister was presented with a sword and a portrait of Guru Teg Bahadur.
On this occasion, MLA Jagmohan Anand, Indri MLA Ramkumar Kashyap, Assandh MLA Yogendra Rana, Nilokheri's Bhagwandas Kabirpanthi, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh, SP Ganga Ram Poonia, Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, BJP District President Praveen Lathar, Sardar Trilochan Singh, SDM Anubhav Mehta, CTM Monica, Sugar Mill MD Aditi, DDPO Kanchan Lata, administrative officers and employees etc. were present.