LUCKNOW: Chief minister

said on Tuesday that Guru Nanak did not hesitate in taking on Mughal invader Babur when he was “unleashing terror on people” and added that when India was suffering under foreign rule, it was the Sikh community which stood up to it.

“Jab Babur ke atyachar se poori dharti tharthara rahi thi, kaanp rahi thi, toh unhone Babur ke un atyacharon ka dat ke virodh karne mein koi sankoch nahin kiya (When the whole world was trembling under Babur’s torture, Guru Nanak did not hesitate in standing up to him),”

said at a programme to celebrate Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary at his official residence in Lucknow. This was the first occasion when the Sikh Guru’s birth anniversary was celebrated at UP CM’s residence.

Referring to Mughals, the CM said that when India never thought it would attain freedom from foreign rule, it was the Sikh community that stood up to protect the country.

The CM further claimed that despite not having vehicles or any other form of commute, Guru Nanak travelled even up to Mecca and Medina, holy sites for Muslims, and “showed people such miracles that it opened their eyes”.

Yogi said that under directions by the Centre, a mega celebration to mark the Guru’s birth anniversary would be held across the state. To begin with, Punjabi Academy, tourism department, information department and other associated departments have been asked to prepare a detailed plan for development of sites associated with Guru Nanak, Yogi said.