CM Nayab Saini Pays Tribute to Guru Amar Das on Jyoti-Jot Diwas
Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini marked the Jyoti-Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third Sikh Guru, offering homage to his legacy of equality, selfless service, and the langar tradition that placed community before congregation.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini paid tribute to Guru Amar Das Ji on his Jyoti-Jot Diwas on September 26, 2026.
Guru Amar Das was the Third Sikh Guru , who served from 1552 to 1574 .
Saini highlighted the Guru's principle of 'Pahle Pangat, Pache Sangat' — community meal before congregation — as a foundation of equality.
Guru Amar Das institutionalised the langar system , requiring all visitors regardless of caste to eat together before any gathering.
Haryana has a significant Sikh population with active gurdwaras observing the Jyoti-Jot Diwas through community langars and processions.
On the Jyoti-Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das Ji — the Third Sikh Guru — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini offered his heartfelt homage, invoking the Guru's timeless message of selfless service, equality, and harmony on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Saini wrote, 'तृतीय पातशाह श्री गुरु अमर दास जी के ज्योति-जोत दिवस पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन' — ('Salutations beyond measure to Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third Patshah, on his Jyoti-Jot Diwas'). He specifically spotlighted the Guru's foundational principle: 'पहले पंगत, पाछे संगत' — 'first the community meal, then the congregation' — a directive that placed shared humanity before hierarchy.
The Guru Who Made Equality Non-Negotiable
Guru Amar Das Ji, who led the Sikh Panth from 1552 to 1574, is credited with institutionalising the langar system — the free community kitchen that required all visitors, regardless of caste or social rank, to sit and eat together before any religious gathering. The principle dismantled entrenched caste hierarchies at a time when such a gesture was genuinely radical. His teachings on seva (selfless service) and samaanta (equality) remain cornerstones of the Sikh faith to this day.
Haryana's Bond with the Sikh Tradition
Haryana carries deep historical and cultural ties to the Sikh tradition, home to a significant Sikh population and several prominent gurdwaras that mark Jyoti-Jot Diwas each year with community langars and religious processions. For a Chief Minister governing a state where these observances resonate widely, the tribute is both an act of reverence and an acknowledgement of Haryana's plural identity. CM Saini's message closed with a reminder that the Guru's teachings 'will continue to inspire us all to walk the path of truth and service.'
On a day when gurdwaras across the state open their doors for extended community service, Saini's words land not as a political gesture alone — but as an echo of a philosophy that has shaped this region for centuries.
Point of View
Cutting across party lines and reflecting the electoral and cultural weight of the Sikh community in states like Haryana and Punjab. For CM Saini, invoking 'Pahle Pangat, Pache Sangat' is not merely devotional — it is a deliberate alignment with a philosophy of social equality that resonates with a broad, cross-caste voter base. The BJP's sustained outreach to Sikh heritage sites and observances signals a long-term strategy to deepen its footprint in communities that share historical ties with both Haryana and Punjab. Saini's message, arriving from the seat of Haryana's government, reinforces the state's self-image as a guardian of its plural, multi-faith identity.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Guru Amar Das Ji?
Guru Amar Das Ji was the Third Sikh Guru, who led the Sikh faith from 1552 to 1574. He is best known for institutionalising the langar (free community kitchen) system and championing equality by requiring all visitors to share a meal together before any congregation.
What is Jyoti-Jot Diwas?
Jyoti-Jot Diwas marks the death anniversary of a Sikh Guru — the day the Guru's soul ('jyoti') merged with the eternal light ('jot'). It is observed with prayers, community langar, and religious gatherings at gurdwaras.
What does 'Pahle Pangat, Pache Sangat' mean?
'Pahle Pangat, Pache Sangat' translates to 'first the community meal row, then the congregation.' Guru Amar Das established this rule to break caste barriers by making shared eating a prerequisite for any religious assembly.
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Saini post this tribute?
CM Nayab Singh Saini posted the tribute to mark the Jyoti-Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das Ji, honouring the Third Sikh Guru's legacy. Haryana has a significant Sikh population, and political leaders across parties regularly observe such anniversaries publicly.
What is the langar system associated with Guru Amar Das?
The langar is a free community kitchen in Sikh tradition where food is served to all people equally, regardless of caste, religion, or social status. Guru Amar Das strengthened this institution and made participation in the langar a condition before meeting him, using it as a tool against caste discrimination.
