Sikligar Sikhs in Jaipur bring their presence on record by installing a 15 feet tall Khanda at a road roundabout near their dwelling, now named as Guru Tegh Bahadur Circle by the mayor of Jaipur.

The Sikligar Sikhs of the area called Jalana Dongri in Jaipur have a reason to be proud as they were able to convince the city administration of Jaipur to name a road roundabout next to their habitat as Guru Tegh Bahadur Circle.  Erstwhile Sikh artisans -the Sikligars installed a life-sized Khanda -the double-edged Sikh sword, last week within the roundabout area which was inaugurated by the Mayor of Jaipur Shri Ashok Lahoty amidst chant of Bole so Nihal by the residents.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Lahoty asked the Sangat to make this Guru Tegh Bahadur Circle more popular. He said that it was an honour to rename the circle and install the Khanda as Guru Tegh Bahadur had saved the Hindu religion. Speaking to WSN, Dr. Lahoty said, “Guru Tegh Bahadur was not the Guru of the Sikhs alone, for his exemplary sacrifice he is known as “Hind di Chadar.”

The Khanda made of steel plates by two Sikhs is 15 feet tall and 6 feet in width. The initiative to install the Khanda was started by the Sikligar Sikhs of the area and was supported by the local leader Chandra Bhatia, who had taken this up with the Jaipur Development Authority.  The constant support of the Sikh residents of Raja Park for education and other needs is always acknowledged by the Sikligar Sikhs.

“Let the Sangat popularise the Guru Tegh Bahadur Circle which has this huge Khanda -the proud symbol of the Sikh people. It was an honour to rename the circle and install the Khanda as Guru Tegh Bahadur had saved the Hindu religion. ”

Shri Ashok Lahoti, Mayor of Jaipur

A rare occasion for the Sikligar men, women and children who were there in large numbers, the inauguration of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Circle was attended by Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Jaipur Shri Kalicharan Saraf and Sikh leaders of Sikh Samaj Jaipur -Ajaypal Singh, Khushwinder Singh and former municipal councillor Devendra Singh Shunty. Speaking exclusively to WSN, President of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara, run by the Sikligars, Avtar Singh said, “I feel very happy seeing the Khanda Sahib at the circle. Guru Sahib has bestowed his Grace on us.” Devendra Singh Shunty said, “It is a proud moment for the Sikhs of Rajasthan.”

The chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Minorities Jasbir Singh congratulated the Sikligar Sikhs and said that it was a momentous occasion that for the first time that the Khanda Sahib -a revered symbol of Sikhism has been publicly placed. He assured full cooperation to the Sikh community and said that the Minorities Commission would always be there to support the minority Sikh community in Rajasthan.

““I feel very proud seeing the Khanda Sahib at the circle. Guru Sahib has bestowed his Grace on us.””

Avtar Singh Sikligar, President, Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

Sikligar Sikhs felt very happy and they were proud of their heritage seeing the huge Khanda in the middle of the road, which they had decorated for the function.  They vowed to clean the roundabout regularly so that passersby understand the importance of the Khanda and the contribution of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.

As many as fifteen students of A Little Happiness Foundation under the leadership of Ravinder Kaur and Parveen Kaur, especially participated from Alwar. In the evening they shared their learning experiences with the Sikligar youth and also attended a Gurmat class by a young activist Arjun Singh.  

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With Jalana Dongri becoming Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, the existence of the Sikligar Sikhs has been recognised, paving the way for many more journeys and goals ahead.