Kejriwal pays tribute on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Jyoti Jot Divas
Synopsis
On Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Jyoti Jot Divas, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal offered reverential homage in Punjabi, calling on people to adopt the Guru's three foundational teachings — honest labour, divine remembrance, and communal sharing — in daily life.
Key Takeaways
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal marked Jyoti Jot Divas — the day Guru Nanak Dev Ji merged with eternal light — on 5 October 2026 .
He addressed the Guru as 'kull jagat de rehbar, pehle patshah' — guide of the entire world and the first sovereign.
His post invoked Guru Nanak Dev Ji's three core teachings: Kirat Karo (honest work), Naam Japo (prayer), and Vand Chhako (sharing).
The message was written in Punjabi and directed at the broader public, not just the Sikh community.
Jyoti Jot Divas is a day of quiet spiritual observance, distinct from the celebratory Gurpurab birth anniversary.
On the solemn anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's passing into eternal light — observed as Jyoti Jot Divas — AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal offered reverential homage on Monday, 5 October 2026, urging every follower to live by the first Sikh Guru's timeless teachings.
Posting in Punjabi, Kejriwal addressed Guru Nanak Dev Ji as 'kull jagat de rehbar, pehle patshah' — 'the guide of the entire world, the first sovereign' — and offered 'koti koti pranam', a reverential salute of countless bows at the Guru's feet. The message carried the weight of a personal vow, not a political statement.
The three pillars Kejriwal invoked
The AAP convenor's tribute centred on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's foundational philosophy, distilled in three Punjabi imperatives that have guided Sikhs for five centuries: Kirat Karo (earn an honest living), Naam Japo (meditate on the divine name), and Vand Chhako (share what you have with others). Kejriwal called on people to weave these principles into their daily lives — a call to conscience as much as a religious commemoration.Why Jyoti Jot Divas matters
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is revered not only across Punjab but by millions of Sikhs and seekers worldwide. Jyoti Jot Divas — literally the day the Guru's light merged with the eternal light — is observed with prayers, kirtan, and community service (seva) at gurdwaras across India and the diaspora. The occasion is distinct from his birth anniversary, Gurpurab, and carries a quieter, more contemplative character. For a political leader with a significant Sikh constituency — particularly in Punjab, where AAP holds government — marking this day publicly is also a statement of cultural solidarity. But the brevity and the devotional register of Kejriwal's post keep it firmly in the space of personal tribute.Point of View
A state the party governs. The invocation of Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Vand Chhako is notable: these are not merely devotional phrases but social principles that resonate with AAP's public-service messaging around egalitarianism and community welfare. At a moment when several national parties compete for Sikh sentiment ahead of future electoral cycles, such tributes carry symbolic weight beyond the devotional. Yet the post's restrained, prayerful register suggests a deliberate step back from politics — a leader choosing the dignity of silence over the noise of the news cycle.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jyoti Jot Divas?
Jyoti Jot Divas marks the day Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, passed from earthly life into eternal light. It is observed with prayers and kirtan at gurdwaras and is distinct from Gurpurab, which celebrates his birth.
What did Arvind Kejriwal say on Jyoti Jot Divas 2026?
Kejriwal posted in Punjabi offering 'koti koti pranam' (countless salutations) at Guru Nanak Dev Ji's feet and urged people to adopt the Guru's three teachings — Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, and Vand Chhako — in their daily lives.
What do Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, and Vand Chhako mean?
These are the three foundational principles of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy: Kirat Karo means to earn an honest living through hard work, Naam Japo means to remember and meditate on God's name, and Vand Chhako means to share one's earnings and food with others.
Why did Kejriwal post in Punjabi?
Kejriwal addressed a Punjabi-speaking Sikh audience, and posting in Punjabi signals cultural closeness to the community, particularly significant given that AAP governs Punjab.
When is Jyoti Jot Divas observed?
Jyoti Jot Divas falls on different dates each year according to the Nanakshahi calendar. In 2026, Kejriwal's tribute was posted on 5 October.
