Ends his social message with Waheguru ji da Khalsa, Waheguru ji di Fateh
Munish Sood
MANDI: In a heartwarming reflection of interfaith harmony, Himachal Pradesh’s political scion Vikramaditya Singh has extended greetings to the people of the state on both Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, blending the essence of Hindu and Sikh traditions in a single message of peace and unity.
On his official social media page, Vikramaditya Singh, son of the late six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, rote: “Heartfelt greetings to all residents of Himachal Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. May Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and Goddess Lakshmi bless us all with peace, prosperity and happiness. Waheguru ji da Khalsa, Waheguru ji di Fateh. Jai Maa Lakshmi. Jai Shri Ram.”
Incidentally, all previous messages penned by Vikramaditya would end with “Jai Shri Ram”, but this time he added “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” as well.
Graceful blend of faith and respect
The greeting, which beautifully combined Sikh and Hindu invocations, has drawn attention for its inclusive spirit. Many have noted that Vikramaditya’s growing participation in Sikh festivals and traditions reflects the influence of his wife, Dr Amreen Kaur Sekhon, who hails from Chandigarh and is a Sikh by religion.
By marrying Vikramaditya, Amreen Kaur became the first Sikh queen of the erstwhile Royal Family of Rampur Bushahr, to which the Himachal minister belongs.
A day before Diwali, the couple was seen offering prayers together at a gurdwara in Shimla. The image of the royal pair bowing their heads side by side struck a powerful chord among people, symbolising how a true royal honours every faith with equal reverence.
Family symbolising unity
This is not the first instance where the Rampur royal family has embodied interfaith connection. Earlier, Vikramaditya’s sister Aparajita Kumari married the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, linking two historic royal legacies of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Now, with both siblings connected to Sikh heritage through marriage, the family’s evolving traditions present a modern-day example of harmony between two great faiths.
Story of Bandi Chhor Divas
While Hindus celebrate Diwali as the homecoming of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita to Ayodhya, the Sikh community observes the same day as Bandi Chhor Divas, or “The Day of Liberation.”
The festival marks the return of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, from imprisonment in Gwalior Fort in 1619 AD. The Guru had refused to leave until 52 Hindu kings imprisoned alongside him were also freed. Emperor Jahangir, moved by his compassion, agreed to release them. As Guru Sahib returned to Amritsar, the city was illuminated with lamps in his honour.
It is said that the haveli where Guru Sahib rested that night belonged to a devotee named Haridas, who lit thousands of lamps to celebrate his release, a gesture that inspired the tradition of celebrating Bandi Chhor Divas with lights and devotion alongside Diwali.
“Vikramaditya Singh’s Diwali message, therefore, goes far beyond a festival greeting. It reflects the spirit of India’s shared heritage, where love and reverence for all faiths coexist harmoniously,” said a historian.
Marriage solemnised recently in Chandigarh
By invoking both Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh and Jai Shri Ram in the same message, the young leader from Himachal has set a graceful example of inclusive thinking, showing that light and faith know no boundaries, and that true royalty lies in respecting every tradition equally, he said.
Vikramaditya Singh tied the knot with Amreen Kaur Sekhon recently, marking probably the first time in the princely state’s history that a Sikh woman becomes the ‘Rani’.
The traditional Anand Karaj ceremony was solemnised at Gurdwara Sahib in Sector 11, Chandigarh, where Vikramaditya exchanged vows with Amreen, daughter of Sardar Jotinder Singh Sekhon and Sardarni Opinder Kaur of Chandigarh.
Dr Amreen Kaur Sekhon is an accomplished academic, holding dual Master’s degrees in English and Psychology, along with a PhD in Psychology. She currently serves as Assistant Professor at Panjab University. Close friends of the couple say that Amreen and Vikramaditya shared a long-standing friendship before tying the knot.
This is Vikramaditya’s second marriage, following a previous alliance with Sudarshana Singh of Rajasthan in 2019, which ended in a divorce. For Dr Amreen, this is her first marriage.
