Kejriwal pays tribute on Guru Amar Das Ji's Jyoti-Jot Divas
Synopsis
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal marked Guru Amar Das Ji's Jyoti-Jot Divas on 26 September 2026, offering reverence in Punjabi and invoking the Third Sikh Guru's legacy of seva, simran, tolerance, and social equality.
Key Takeaways
Kejriwal posted a Punjabi tribute on 26 September 2026 marking Guru Amar Das Ji's Jyoti-Jot Divas , the ascension anniversary of the Third Sikh Guru.
Guru Amar Das Ji led the Sikh Panth from 1552 to 1574 and institutionalised the langar tradition, mandating communal dining regardless of caste.
The Guru actively opposed sati and caste discrimination, making him one of early Sikhism's foremost social reformers.
Kejriwal described him as 'the embodiment of seva, simran and tolerance' and prayed for his continued blessings on all.
The tribute fits a broader pattern of AAP and other Indian parties acknowledging Sikh religious occasions, especially significant in Punjab and Delhi .
On the solemn occasion of Jyoti-Jot Divas — the ascension anniversary of the Third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Sahib Ji — AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal offered reverent homage on Saturday, 26 September 2026, invoking the Guru's timeless teachings of service, devotion, and forbearance.
Posting in Punjabi, Kejriwal wrote: 'ਸੇਵਾ, ਸਿਮਰਨ ਤੇ ਸਹਿਣਸ਼ੀਲਤਾ ਦੀ ਮੂਰਤ' — 'the embodiment of seva, simran and tolerance' — offering 'koti-koti pranam' (countless salutations) at the Guru's feet. He prayed that Guru Sahib, who dismantled social evils and built a healthier society, may continue to shower his blessings on all.
Guru Amar Das Ji, who led the Sikh Panth from 1552 to 1574, is remembered as a transformative social reformer. He institutionalised the tradition of langar — the community kitchen that required all visitors, regardless of caste or rank, to sit and eat together — and was a fierce opponent of sati and caste-based discrimination. His emphasis on seva (selfless service), simran (meditative remembrance of God) and patience became foundational pillars of Sikh identity.
Kejriwal's message reflects a well-established pattern among Indian political leaders of acknowledging Sikh Gurpurabs and sacred anniversaries — a tradition that carries particular resonance given the AAP's deep electoral presence in Punjab and its historic base among Delhi's substantial Sikh community. Paying tribute to the Gurus' social teachings — equality, service, rejection of superstition — also aligns with the party's own stated civic philosophy.
Jyoti-Jot Divas marks the day a Guru's earthly light merged with the eternal light, observed across gurdwaras worldwide with akhand paaths (uninterrupted scripture readings) and community seva. It is a day of quiet reflection, not celebration — the Sikh tradition honouring continuity of divine guidance rather than mourning absence.
Point of View
But they carry particular strategic weight for AAP, which governs Punjab and draws considerable support from Delhi's Sikh voters. Kejriwal's choice to post in Punjabi — rather than Hindi or English — signals a deliberate cultural intimacy with that constituency. More broadly, invoking Guru Amar Das Ji's legacy of anti-caste reform and community service allows the party to frame its own civic agenda within a revered historical tradition, lending moral texture to what is also routine electoral outreach.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Guru Amar Das Ji's Jyoti-Jot Divas?
Jyoti-Jot Divas marks the day Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third Sikh Guru, departed from earthly life — his light merging with the eternal. It is observed with akhand paaths and community seva in gurdwaras worldwide.
Who was Guru Amar Das Ji?
Guru Amar Das Ji was the Third Sikh Guru, who led the Sikh Panth from 1552 to 1574. He institutionalised langar, opposed sati and caste discrimination, and championed the values of seva, simran and tolerance.
What did Arvind Kejriwal post for Guru Amar Das Ji's Jyoti-Jot Divas?
Kejriwal posted a Punjabi tribute on 26 September 2026, calling Guru Amar Das Ji 'the embodiment of seva, simran and tolerance' and offering 'koti-koti pranam' — countless salutations — at the Guru's feet.
What reforms is Guru Amar Das Ji remembered for?
Guru Amar Das Ji is remembered for institutionalising langar (the community kitchen open to all castes), opposing the practice of sati, and dismantling caste-based social hierarchies within the Sikh community.
Why do Indian politicians post tributes on Sikh Gurpurabs?
Acknowledging Sikh sacred occasions is a longstanding practice across Indian political parties, reflecting the cultural significance of the Sikh community and its substantial electoral presence in states like Punjab and Delhi.
