Concerns Over Renovation of Gurdwara Dehra Sahib and Other Shrines in Pakistan

Gurdwara Dehra Sahib
Gurdwara Dehra Sahib

NEW DELHI—After returning from his two-day visit to Pakistan, Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) President Paramjit Sarna, along with former DSGMC general secretary Harvinder Sarna, stated that ‘kar seva’ of Gurdwara Dehra Sahib will be starting the first week of November. Gurdwara Dehra Sahib is related to the life of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Pakistan Sikh Sangat will be celebrating the parkash Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, hence the week has been chosen to make renovations to the historical shrine. Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committeee had alledgely invited the appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, to take part in the celebrations.

Construction plans have been made by engineers and experts in Pakistan.  Sarna stated that any historical building will not be touched, rather repaired.  Major construction will include building housing for visitors.  Despite claims by Sarna of not touching historical buildings, Sikh historians are being cautious.

Jagtar Singh, senior editor of Sikh24 said, “Sarna and SGPC are both fighting for kar seva in Pakistan, and this is not a good trend.  We do not want them to compete in seva, as it could lead to unnecessary changes to historical shrines and buildings.”  He added, “Vast majority of Gurdwaras are untouched in Pakistan, they represent true history of Sikhs, while in Punjab and rest of India, we have seen most of Sikh history destroyed through kar seva projects.”

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