What does PM Modi’s surprise visit to Rakabganj Gurudwara means?

December 19 is the death anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and he is remembered for his supreme sacrifice. PM Modi paid a surprise visit to Gurudwara Rakabganj and offered his prayers on December 20.

Gurudwara Rakabganj is famous because the mortal remains of Guru Tegh Bahadur were laid to rest in flames here.

At a time when a section of Punjab-led group of farmers are protesting against the new farm laws and a series of talks between the farmers’ unions and the government have failed to break this deadlock, the visit by Narendra Modi to Rakabganj Gurudwara holds significance.

PM Modi in his tweets mentioned that it is a special blessing by the Guru Sahibs that the 400^th Prakash Parv special occasion will be marked during his Government’s tenure. He wants this occasion to be celebrated historically and to celebrate the ideals of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

By making a surprise visit to the Gurudwara without any security and protocol, PM Modi tried to give two messages to the Sikh community across India. The first message was to let all those who want to topple down Narendra Modi know that he respects the Gurus and the Sikhs love him as well, and he can go to any level to convince the farmers about their as well as the nation’s benefits. Remember there were videos of the farmers saying, “Jab Indira ko thok diya to Modi kya cheez hai.” Secondly, he wants to tell the protesting farmers that to talk and resolve the matter is the only solution available and the government is not going to repeal the laws at any cost.

Eventually, the government once again tried to reach out to the farmers by inviting them for another round of talks. The proposal came after PM Modi’s visit to the Rakabganj Gurudwara in Delhi.

Though, PM Modi’s visit to the Gurudwara was targeted by Congress and other opposition parties as another political gimmick. The Congress asked the Prime Minister that why has he not visited the farmers who are protesting even as more than 25 farmers have died. The opposition called it a “photo-op”.

PM Modi’s gurudwara visit lasted for around 20 minutes and came at a time when the farmers are protesting against the newly enacted farm laws. The protests are going on since November 26 with no signs of the impasse ending anytime soon.

While the PM visited the iconic Gurudwara a sermon was being recited in the background putting forth this advice: “You may be a religious person, attend Satsangs (prayer meets) and do Seva (service), but there must be changes in your thinking that truly help better society.”