New Delhi [India], December 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday bowed down to the sacrifices of the Veer Sahibzadas, hailing their bravery and valour to stand like a rock against the 'cruel' Mughal Sultanate and shake down the 'very existence of religious fanaticism and terror.'

Addressing the national programme marking 'Veer Baal Diwas,' PM Modi said that Veer Sahibzadas, who had to confront the Mughal empire at a very young age, broke all the circumstances in their fight against oppression.

'Today, the nation is observing Veer Bal Diwas. Today, we remember those brave Sahibzadas who are the pride of India. They represent the ultimate expression of India's indomitable courage, valour and bravery. Those brave Sahibzadas broke the limits of age and circumstance. They stood like a rock against the cruel Mughal Sultanate, shaking the very existence of religious fanaticism and terror. A nation with such a glorious past can achieve anything,' PM Modi said.

On December 26, 1704, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were bricked alive by the orders of Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind, for resisting conversion to Islam during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. The two elder sons, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, attained shaheed status, fighting bravely in the Battle of Chamkaur.

Highlighting the significance of Veer Baal Diwas, PM Modi reminded people about the Veer Sahibzadas' motive to stand against the Mughals

'Veer Bal Diwas is a day of deep emotion and reverence. Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh had to confront the most powerful authority of their time at a very young age, That battle was between the fundamental ideals of India and religious fanaticism. It was a battle of truth versus falsehood,' he said.

'On one side of that battle was the Tenth Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and on the other side was the cruel rule of Aurangzeb. Our Sahibzadas were young at that time, but Aurangzeb and his cruelty were indifferent to their age,' he added.

PM further said that despite Aurangzeb's cruelty, his commanders could not shake even one of those four Sahibzadas

'But Aurangzeb and his military commanders had forgotten that our Guru was no ordinary man. He was the living embodiment of penance and sacrifice. The brave Sahibzadas had inherited that legacy from him, so even though the entire Mughal empire was arrayed against them, they could not shake even one of those four Sahibzadas,' PM Modi said.

PM Modi further noted that his initiative to celebrate Veer Baal Diwas has created a platform for courageous and talented young people.

'Whenever December 26th comes around, I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that we have started celebrating 'Veer Bal Diwas' (Brave Children's Day), inspired by the bravery of the Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh). In the last four years, this new tradition of Veer Bal Diwas has carried the inspiring stories of the Sahibzadas to the new generation. Veer Bal Diwas has also created a platform for courageous and talented young people. Every year, children who achieve remarkable feats for the country in various fields are honoured with the Prime Minister's National Children's Award,' he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 9, 2022, announced that December 26 would be observed as 'Veer Baal Diwas' to commemorate the martyrdom of the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. (ANI)