Commemorative Silver Coin released on Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s 300th Martyrdom Anniversary

NEW DELHI : A commemorative silver coin to mark tercentenary martyrdom anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was released by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on June 21. The coin was facilitated by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. The commemorative coin was released to mark the martyrdom anniversary, it has no denomination power. The coin was presented to Arun Jaitley by Manjit Singh GK as the members of the DSGMC shouted the Sikh jaikara of ‘Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’.Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley referred to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as a mahapursh and said, “Baba Banda Singh Bahadur established the first sovereign rule in Punjab. He showcased how to run a secular Government. Baba Ji was martyred 300 years ago near the Qutab Minar.”
“The coin is the replica of the original coin issued by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Along with the coin, if a documentary can be made on Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, that will be great. The Khalsa’s history is full of courage and sacrifice. Baba Banda Singh’s history has a great place in the Sikh history. I am happy that large scale programs are being organized in Delhi. A program is also being organized in Punjab which will be attended by the Prime Minister,” he said. Along with the commemorative silver coin, Jaitley also released a CD of songs paying homage to the Sikh warrior, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. DSGMC committee members said that a documentary is currently being worked upon.Addressing the media on this occasion, DSGMC President Manjit Singh GK said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur had released the coins on the name of first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These coins were later abolished by the Mughal emperors.Dr. Jaspal Singh (Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University), MP Prem Singh Chandumajra (Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib), S. MPS Chadha (Senior Vice President of DSGMC) and former Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh were also present on this occasion.Incidentally, the coin was launched on June 21, which coincided with the International Yoga Day. Several media outlets in India have referred to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as a great Yogi. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur practised yoga before he met Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He gave up his previous lifestyle and adapted a martial way of life before conquering Punjab.