Rajesh Bhatt, Ludhiana3 hours in the past
Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha in Abbottabad has been bought. Now the situation of this gurdwara is dilapidated.
In accordance with a report by Khalsa Vox, an official of the Evacuee Belief Property Board (ETPB) is accused of promoting the historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Abbottabad, situated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, after allegedly accepting a bribe of 1 crore Pakistani rupees.
The official is additional accused of granting permission for the demolition of the gurdwara constructing. The client is reportedly developing a clothes boutique on the location for his wives.
Constructing of Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha in Abbottabad, Pakistan. – File Photograph
Function of the Evacuee Belief Property Board
The Evacuee Belief Property Board in Pakistan is the statutory physique accountable for managing and sustaining spiritual properties belonging to minority communities, together with Sikhs and Hindus. The establishment was constituted to safeguard gurdwaras, temples and different locations of worship left behind after Partition.
Nevertheless, on this case, the ETPB’s position has come underneath scrutiny. Media studies state that the ETPB administrator in Hasan Abdal, Attock district, handed over possession of the Abbottabad gurdwara to a neighborhood resident recognized as Wahid Bala. The official allegedly permitted the demolition of the construction and accepted plans to construct a clothes boutique as an alternative.
Land registered within the names of two wives
The purchaser, Wahid Bala, is reported to have registered the land within the names of his two wives, Rida Jadun and Aisha Wahid. Preparations are stated to be underway to open the boutique on the location.
The event has triggered anger and misery amongst members of Pakistan’s Sikh neighborhood, who regard the location as an vital a part of their spiritual and historic heritage.
The road in Pakistan the place the Gurdwara is situated continues to be referred to as Gurudwara Wali Gali (Gurudwara Road).
Sikh neighborhood calls for motion
Sikhs residing in Pakistan have demanded the instant dismissal of the ETPB official accused of authorising the sale and demolition. They’ve additionally urged the federal government to intervene and protect what stays of the gurdwara constructing.
Group members allege that the ETPB had for years collected lease from outlets constructed throughout the gurdwara complicated, but failed to hold out repairs or restoration work. Even immediately, the encircling locality reportedly retains the names “Gurdwara Market” and “Gurdwara Gali”, reflecting the location’s historic identification.
Inscriptions nonetheless seen
Regardless of studies of demolition and switch of management, inscriptions stay seen on the website. The principle entrance nonetheless bears the identify “Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha” inscribed in Gurmukhi script. The phrase “Sachkhandi Vasai Nirankar” is clearly written exterior the Diwan Corridor, underscoring the spiritual character of the construction.
However, the property is alleged to have handed into the possession of the non-public purchaser.
2 PHOTOS from contained in the Gurdwara-
The situation inside Gurdwara Sahib. This constructing is dilapidated. – File photograph
The gurdwara has been vandalized inside.
Nineteenth-century legacy of sikh rule
Historic accounts point out that the gurdwara was constructed within the Nineteenth century, when the Hazara–Abbottabad area was underneath Sikh rule between 1818 and 1849. The positioning is believed to be among the many spiritual buildings constructed in the course of the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Throughout that interval, the Hazara–Abbottabad area served as an vital army and administrative centre of the Sikh Empire. The presence of Sikh administration and troops contributed to the institution of non secular establishments for the native Sikh inhabitants. As such, the gurdwara is considered a part of the architectural and cultural heritage of the Sikh Empire period.
Non secular significance for Sikhs and Hindus
Earlier than the partition in 1947, Abbottabad had a considerable inhabitants of Sikhs and Hindus. Alongside the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, a Hindu temple additionally stood within the neighborhood, making the realm a major spiritual hub for each communities.
Following independence and the migration of Hindus and Sikhs from the area, spiritual actions on the gurdwara ceased. With the absence of a resident Sikh inhabitants, the constructing steadily fell into disuse. After 1976, it reportedly started to deteriorate and switch into ruins.
The most recent allegations surrounding its sale and demolition have as soon as once more drawn consideration to the vulnerability of minority spiritual heritage websites in Pakistan.
