Name: Kamlesh Kumari
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026 (Special Issue)
Page Number: 356-358
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19452217

ABSTRACT
This paper examines the moral, philosophical, and literary contributions of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji toward strengthening interfaith harmony and protecting religious pluralism in India. Revered as Hind di Chadar (the Shield of India), Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is remembered for safeguarding the religious freedom of all communities, not merely his
own. Interfaith harmony refers to peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths, while pluralism emphasizes respect for
multiple religious traditions and the freedom to practice them without coercion.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji played a crucial role in fostering religious harmony by affirming the divine inspiration underlying
all faiths. He believed that although religious paths may differ, their ultimate aim is the realization of truth and communion
with the Divine. His historic intervention on behalf of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were facing forced conversions,
exemplifies his commitment to universal religious liberty. Despite belonging to a different faith, he chose to defend their
right to conscience, ultimately sacrificing his life for this principle.
Through scriptural teachings such as “Manas ki jaat sabhe ekai pehchano” (Recognize all of humankind as one), Guru
Tegh Bahadur Ji articulated a vision of ethical universalism that transcends sectarian boundaries. His teachings and
martyrdom continue to serve as a moral foundation for interfaith harmony and pluralism in contemporary society. This
paper analyses his legacy as a living ethical framework relevant to present-day challenges of religious intolerance and
minority persecution.
Keywords: Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Interfaith Harmony, Pluralism, Religious Freedom, Moral Courage, Sikh Philosophy