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Sri Anandpur Sahib: A day after declaring Sri Anandpur Sahib a “holy city” during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced the establishment of a world-class university named after the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. The announcement was made at the concluding ceremony of the government-organised Sarv Dharam Sammelan at Guru Ka Bagh, Baba Budha Dal Cantonment, held to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the revered Guru.
Addressing the gathering from the historic land founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur, CM Mann said the proposed university would emerge as a global hub of high-quality education, research, interfaith dialogue, and studies rooted in the Guru’s principles. “Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji laid down his life to defend the right to faith and freedom. Establishing a world-class university in his name is the least we can do to inspire future generations with his teachings,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Punjab Government was committed to developing Anandpur Sahib not only as a spiritual capital but also as a centre of academic excellence and global learning. The announcement, he noted, was part of a broader roadmap aimed at the region’s infrastructural and cultural uplift. Mann added that more developmental initiatives would follow, aligned with the sentiments of devotees visiting the birthplace of the Khalsa.
The Sarv Dharam Sammelan, a key event in the week-long commemorative observances, brought together spiritual leaders and representatives from diverse faiths. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who also addressed the gathering, praised Guru Tegh Bahadur’s teachings and described his martyrdom as a “unique chapter in world history.” He said, “Guru Tegh Bahadur taught the world that defending freedom of faith is a duty of all. His ideals of humanity and justice continue to guide us even after 350 years.”
Local MLA and Punjab Cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains expressed gratitude to the government for choosing Anandpur Sahib as the focus of the historic commemorations. He said the sammelan had successfully conveyed the message of unity among all faiths. The declaration of Anandpur Sahib as a “holy city” and the proposal for a world-class university, he added, were long-standing demands of the region. “These decisions will open new avenues of development while preserving the spiritual legacy of the Guru’s city,” Bains said.
The Sammelan witnessed participation from saints, scholars, religious heads and thousands of devotees who had gathered at Guru Ka Bagh, where the Baba Budha Dal Nihang sect played host. The event highlighted communal harmony, universal brotherhood and Guru Tegh Bahadur’s message of upholding human dignity above religious boundaries.
