New Delhi —Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met a delegation of Sikh leaders who submitted recommendations on the preservation and public display of the sacred ‘Jore Sahib,’ belonging to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
The Prime Minister said he was “very happy” to receive the delegation and emphasized that such holy relics are not only central to Sikh faith but also part of India’s cultural heritage. “Holy relics as significant and spiritually important as the ‘Jore Sahib’ are as much a part of the glorious Sikh history as they are of the cultural ethos of our nation,” Modi said. He added that the relics would inspire future generations to follow the principles of courage, justice, and social harmony shown by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
During the meeting, Punjabi Sufi singer Arshdeep Kaur recited the Mool Mantar, which Modi listened to respectfully after covering his head.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who accompanied the Sikh leaders, said his family had been the custodian of the relics for over three centuries. The footwear, one pair belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and the other to Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, was bestowed upon Puri’s ancestors in recognition of their seva. “Our family has preserved them with humility and reverence across generations,” Puri noted.
The relics have been carefully examined by the Ministry of Culture, including carbon testing to verify authenticity. A committee of eminent Sikh members has since prepared a report, which was presented to Modi for further action. Puri said the Prime Minister’s respect for Sikh traditions is reflected in initiatives to strengthen connectivity to Sikh pilgrimage sites and improve facilities for devotees.
