CM Rekha Gupta greets Delhi on Bandi Chhor Divas
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked Bandi Chhor Divas on 8 November 2026 by honouring Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, whose refusal to leave Gwalior Fort without 52 fellow prisoners gave birth to a festival celebrating liberation, justice, and compassion.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta posted Bandi Chhor Divas greetings on 8 November 2026 via X.
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595–1644) , the sixth Sikh Guru, was imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir at Gwalior Fort .
He secured the release of 52 Hindu princes along with his own freedom, giving the festival its name — 'Day of Liberation of the Prisoners'.
Bandi Chhor Divas coincides with Diwali and is marked by illuminations at the Golden Temple, Amritsar .
CM Gupta emphasised that true freedom is bound to justice, compassion, and the protection of others' rights.
A festival rooted in an act of defiance against Mughal tyranny, Bandi Chhor Divas carries a message that cuts across centuries — and on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute to the sixth Sikh Guru and the values of justice and liberation he embodied.
Posting on X in Hindi, CM Gupta extended warm wishes to the nation: 'बंदी छोड़ दिवस की समस्त देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं' ('Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on Bandi Chhor Divas'). She described the life of Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji as 'an unparalleled example of courage against injustice, protection of dharma, and service to humanity.'
Guru Hargobind's imprisonment and the birth of a festival
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595–1644), the sixth Sikh Guru, was imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir at Gwalior Fort. When his release was finally secured, he refused to leave unless 52 Hindu princes held captive alongside him were freed as well. He departed the fort only when each of those princes held onto the tassels of his cloak — a single act of solidarity that gave Bandi Chhor Divas its name: the Day of Liberation of the Prisoners.
That story is why the day resonates far beyond the Sikh community. CM Gupta captured this in her message, noting that true freedom is inseparable from a commitment to justice, compassion, and the protection of others' rights — 'सच्ची स्वतंत्रता के साथ न्याय, करुणा और दूसरों के अधिकारों की रक्षा का संकल्प भी जुड़ा है।'
A festival that shares its night with Diwali
Bandi Chhor Divas falls on the same night as Diwali, and the two celebrations are observed together across much of northern India. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated spectacularly on this date each year, drawing enormous gatherings of devotees. For Delhi — home to one of India's largest Sikh populations — the festival carries particular weight, with gurdwaras across the capital holding special prayers and community events.
Indian political leaders across party lines routinely mark Bandi Chhor Divas with public greetings, acknowledging both Sikh history and the broader moral teachings of the Gurus. CM Gupta's tribute closed with a bow to those teachings: 'गुरु साहिब जी की महान शिक्षाओं को कोटि-कोटि नमन' — 'A million salutes to the great teachings of Guru Sahib Ji.'
Point of View
With leaders across the spectrum invoking Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's story to signal respect for Sikh heritage and minority communities. For a BJP Chief Minister in Delhi — a city with a significant Sikh voter base — the gesture carries both cultural sincerity and political awareness. Framing the festival around universal values of justice and liberation, rather than sectarian identity alone, reflects a broader BJP communication strategy of positioning the party as an inheritor of India's composite spiritual tradition. The message lands on a festival that doubles as Diwali, amplifying its reach across communities simultaneously.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bandi Chhor Divas?
Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning 'Day of Liberation of the Prisoners', commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, from Gwalior Fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. He insisted that 52 Hindu princes imprisoned with him also be freed, and the festival celebrates that act of selfless courage. It falls on the same date as Diwali.
Who was Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji?
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595–1644) was the sixth Guru of the Sikh faith. He introduced the concept of 'Miri-Piri' — the union of temporal and spiritual authority — and is remembered for his resistance against Mughal oppression and his compassion in securing the freedom of 52 fellow prisoners alongside his own.
Why does Bandi Chhor Divas fall on Diwali?
According to Sikh tradition, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the night of Diwali, and devotees lit the city in celebration of his return. This historical overlap means both festivals are observed on the same evening each year.
What did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta say on Bandi Chhor Divas 2026?
CM Rekha Gupta posted on X on 8 November 2026, extending greetings to all Indians and describing Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's life as an unparalleled example of courage against injustice, protection of dharma, and service to humanity. She added that true freedom is inseparable from commitments to justice, compassion, and protecting others' rights.
How is Bandi Chhor Divas celebrated in Delhi?
In Delhi, which has one of India's largest Sikh populations, gurdwaras hold special prayers, community langars (free communal meals), and illuminations on Bandi Chhor Divas. The festival's coincidence with Diwali means celebrations across the capital are particularly vibrant on this night.
