NEW DELHI—In reply to a query made by former Chairman of Minority Commission S. Tarlochan Singh, Central Culture Department has stated that it doesn’t have any plan to apply for inscription of Sri Darbar Sahib on World Heritage List.
S. Tarlochan Singh informed that the government had replied to him in a written letter. It is notable that rumours of enlisting Sri Darbar Sahib on UNESCO’s World Heritage List have been wandering among Sikh circles from a long time. A huge wave of opposition formed in opposition of this enlisting. A Sikh body also started an Online Campaign in opposition of enlisting Sri Darbar Sahib on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Tarlochan Singh told ‘Sikh24’ that he met Central Minister for Cultural affairs Dr. Mahesh Sharma to clear the confusion about the issue. Dr. Sharma asked him to file query in written to the department. S. Tarlochan Singh added that the Central Ministry said that SGPC has not made any urge for its enlisting on World Heritage List, then how could they commence the procedure for inscription of Sri Darbar Sahib on list. Joint Secretary Sanjeev Mittal has clarified that the Government doesn’t have any plan to make proposal for enlisting Sri Darbar Sahib on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
According to information, the collection of data about more than 100 historical monuments in India including Sri Darbar Sahib had originated the debate over the issue. However, the Government has made it clear that they are not going to apply for its inscription on World Heritage List.
It is notable that SGPC member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur had made proposal for enlisting Sri Darbar Ssahib on World Heritage List of UNESCO, which was rejected by the then President of SGPC Bibi Jagir Kaur, but the name of Sri Darbar Sahib in list prepared by Government remained active.
