Puri extends Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali greetings
Synopsis
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri greeted Sikh and Hindu communities on Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali, invoking Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's release of 52 kings from Gwalior Fort and praying for peace and good health for all congregations worldwide.
Key Takeaways
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali greetings on November 8, 2026 .
He opened with a Punjabi Gurbani verse honouring the Sixth Sikh Guru as the liberator of souls.
Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's release from Gwalior Fort along with 52 imprisoned kings .
The minister addressed 'all congregations in India and abroad,' acknowledging the global Sikh diaspora.
Bandi Chhor Divas coincides with the Diwali lunar date, making it a shared celebration for Sikh and Hindu communities.
On a day that carries the weight of a centuries-old liberation, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri extended warm wishes to Sikh and Hindu communities across the world on Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali, invoking the memory of the Sixth Sikh Guru's historic release from Gwalior Fort on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Opening with a verse in Punjabi — 'ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਹੈ ਜੀਵਣ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਉਡੀਣਾ' ('The True Guru is the liberator, freeing souls to soar') — Minister Puri addressed congregations in India and abroad, praying that the grace of Dhann Dhann Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the 'Miri-Piri de Malik' (Lord of temporal and spiritual sovereignty), bring peace, happiness, and good health to all.
The release from Gwalior Fort that history remembers
Puri's post drew direct attention to the defining event at the heart of this festival: Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the Sixth Guru of Sikhism, walked free from Gwalior Fort — a Mughal stronghold in present-day Madhya Pradesh — along with 52 kings who had been imprisoned alongside him. The story goes that the Guru refused to leave unless all the other captives were freed; he is said to have emerged holding the cloaks of each king, earning him the title 'Bandi Chhor Baba' — the liberator of prisoners.
That act of collective emancipation gave the festival its name and its soul. Bandi Chhor Divas falls on the same lunar date as Diwali, and for Sikh communities worldwide, the two observances are intertwined — lamps lit not just in celebration of light over darkness, but in remembrance of a Guru who chose solidarity over personal freedom.
A message reaching sangats across the globe
The minister's greeting was addressed to 'desh videsh ki sabhi sangaton' — all congregations, at home and abroad — a phrase that reflects the global spread of the Sikh diaspora, from Punjab to Canada, the United Kingdom, and beyond. Senior Indian political leaders routinely mark both Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas with public messages, recognising the significance of the occasion for millions of citizens and diaspora members alike.
When a Union Minister reaches across two festivals in a single post — invoking Gurbani verse, historical memory, and a prayer for collective well-being — the message lands as more than seasonal courtesy. It is a reminder that the story of Gwalior Fort is not dusty heritage. It is the living reason 52 lamps burn a little brighter tonight.
Point of View
Scripture-opening post is squarely in the tradition of senior BJP leaders bridging Sikh and broader Hindu festival observances — a deliberate cultural alignment that has grown more prominent in recent years as the party seeks to deepen its connect with Punjabi and diaspora Sikh communities. By anchoring the message in the historical specificity of Gwalior Fort and the 52 kings, the minister elevates the greeting beyond ritual courtesy into an act of shared historical memory. The convergence of Bandi Chhor Divas with Diwali offers a natural coalition-building moment, and the address to 'desh videsh ki sangaton' signals an awareness that the Sikh diaspora in Canada, the UK, and elsewhere remains an important audience for Indian diplomatic and political outreach.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bandi Chhor Divas?
Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh festival that marks the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, from Gwalior Fort along with 52 kings who had been imprisoned by Mughal authorities. It falls on the same lunar date as Diwali.
Why is Bandi Chhor Divas celebrated on Diwali?
Bandi Chhor Divas coincides with Diwali because Guru Hargobind Sahib's historic release from Gwalior Fort took place on the same lunar calendar date, leading Sikh communities to light lamps in celebration of both events together.
Who were the 52 kings released with Guru Hargobind Sahib?
According to Sikh tradition, 52 Hindu kings were imprisoned alongside Guru Hargobind Sahib at Gwalior Fort. The Guru refused to leave captivity unless all 52 were freed simultaneously, earning him the title 'Bandi Chhor Baba' — the liberator of prisoners.
What did Hardeep Singh Puri say on Bandi Chhor Divas 2026?
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri wished all congregations in India and abroad on Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali, opened his post with a Gurbani verse, and prayed for the grace of Guru Hargobind Sahib to bring peace, happiness, and good health to everyone.
Where is Gwalior Fort located?
Gwalior Fort is a historic fortification located in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is associated with the imprisonment and subsequent liberation of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the event commemorated on Bandi Chhor Divas.
