Concerns Rise Over Deteriorating Sikh Shrines in Pakistan Amid Heritage Preservation Claims

Islamabad, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : In Islamabad, questions are being raised about Pakistan’s commitment to preserving its Sikh community and religious heritage. A recent report indicates that numerous historic gurdwaras across the country are facing neglect, dilapidation, and encroachment. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials are making bold claims about their efforts to promote Sikh heritage preservation, religious tourism, and the restoration of these shrines.

According to a report by Khalsa Vox, there is a significant disparity between Pakistan’s outreach to the Sikh community in the United States and the actual condition of Sikh religious sites within the country.

Recent social media posts reveal that Ramesh Singh Arora, the Minister for Minority Affairs in Punjab and head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, recently visited several gurdwaras in the U.S. During his trip, he urged the diaspora to participate in the “Adopt a Gurdwara” initiative aimed at preserving religious heritage. He also invited them to join the upcoming Guru Parv celebrations in November, promising to ease the visa process. However, some posts have alleged that cash and cashier checks were solicited from U.S. gurdwara management committees.

The report indicates that Anjum Javed, reportedly associated with the Punjab Archaeology Department, participated in an event called “The Sikh Kingdom” in Lathrop, California. He proposed developing an economic corridor from Nankana Sahib to the Khyber Pass, which would include the redevelopment of Jamrud Fort and Baba Fula Singh Fort.

Javed claimed that around $70 million had been raised for heritage development projects, including $9.4 million from the World Bank. This initiative aims to attract a significant number of Sikh tourists to Pakistan each year. However, the current state of Sikh religious sites in the country raises doubts about these assertions.

Many gurdwaras in Pakistan are reportedly in a state of disrepair. Some have been encroached upon, while others are being used for different purposes. Additionally, concerns persist regarding attacks on the Sikh community, religious discrimination, and the safety of minorities.

A notable example of negligence in safeguarding Sikh religious heritage occurred in July when the 125-year-old Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farukhabad, Punjab, was demolished. According to reports, a local businessman allegedly ordered the demolition without legal permission or a court order.

Following the destruction, parts of the gurdwara were reduced to rubble, prompting local Sikhs to protest in the streets. It was only after this outcry that authorities took notice of the situation. Khalsa Vox reported that the night of June 24 was particularly painful for the Sikh community in Farukhabad, as a historic building where generations had prayed was torn down by machinery. This gurdwara, over a century old, was established during the Singh Sabha movement.

Subsequently, an official from the relevant department acknowledged that the demolition had gone unnoticed until the protests erupted. This raises serious questions about the responsibility of authorities to protect the heritage of religious minorities. The report concludes that this issue reflects not just administrative negligence, but also the ongoing struggle of the Sikh community in Pakistan to preserve their religious identity and historical legacy. The contrast between the government’s claims of promoting Sikh heritage preservation abroad and the dire state of gurdwaras within the country casts significant doubt on the credibility of these efforts.