The open neglect of Gurdwaras in Pakistan by the local authorities continues. The condition of many Gurudwaras is bad. There have been many such incidents about which Sikhs are very worried.

There are hundreds of such buildings of historical importance belonging to the Sikh community in Pakistan which are being destroyed and desecrated. Whereas, the Government of Pakistan is misleading the Sikhs and the international community by maintaining only a few Gurdwaras in the country. Media reports said that hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, the local administration is desecrating their places of worship and illegally occupying them.

Gurdwaras in Pakistan are being openly neglected by the local authorities. The condition of many Gurudwaras is bad. There have been many such incidents about which Sikhs are very worried. One such Gurdwara is the historical Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib which is located in Raja Bazar of Rawalpindi. It was built by Baba Khem Singh Bedi in 1876. The local people are using this place of worship as a slaughterhouse and meat shop. There are meat shops at the main entrance of the Gurudwara for the past several years. Apart from meat shops, more than a dozen shops are being run from the Gurudwara premises.

The properties of the Gurudwara are occupied by the local people.

This Gurudwara has a huge ‘Sarai’ (accommodation for the travelers) and has about 70-75 rooms. The ground floor has a huge langar bhawan (community kitchen), prakash sthan (sanctum sanctorum), sukhasan sthan (the site for the holy book) and joda ghar (place for shoes). All such properties have been illegally occupied by the families of local shopkeepers.

Gurdwara converted into police station

Another example of sheer neglect of Gurdwaras in Pakistan is Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha. It is located in Galha Mandi of Punjab province. This building is very big. Presently the local administration has taken over the Gurudwara and converted it into the City Police Station. Gurdwara Qila Sahib is also included in this list, which was built in the memory of Guru Hargobind Singh. It is located in Guru Nanakpura Mohalla of Hafizabad. It has been turned into a grave.

This matter was raised many times but… 

The local Sikhs have raised the issue of this illegal occupation many times but till now these incidents have not stopped. Many gurdwaras here have been defiled by using them as meat shops, tombs, temples and even sheds for animals. The Sikh community alleges that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETBP) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (PSGPC) have no respect for Sikh religious sentiments.

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