Centre demands action against those responsible as historic Sikh shrine in Pakistan’s Punjab is razed, triggering protests by the local Sikh community
India has strongly condemned the demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Pakistan’s Punjab province, describing it as a “highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism” against a revered Sikh shrine.
The historic gurdwara in Farooqabad was allegedly demolished by a local businessman on the night of June 24 without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC), triggering protests by members of Pakistan’s Sikh community and drawing sharp criticism from New Delhi.
India calls for restoration, justice
Responding to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Pakistan to conduct a swift investigation, punish those responsible and restore the damaged religious site.
“We have seen the deeply distressing reports regarding the demolition of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. We strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine,” Jaiswal said.
He also expressed concern over reports suggesting that local authorities and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had failed to take meaningful action.
Calling the incident part of a wider pattern, India said attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan continue unabated.
“The demolished portions of the Gurdwara Sahib should be restored and reconstructed at the earliest,” Jaiswal said, while urging Islamabad to ensure the safety, security and well-being of minority communities and their religious institutions.
Sikh community protests in Pakistan
According to Pakistani officials, the demolition was carried out without the required approval from the concerned authorities.
Officials said the matter came to the attention of the administration only after members of the local Sikh community staged protests against the destruction of the shrine.
Following the protests, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reportedly took cognisance of the matter.
Punjab minister promises restoration
Punjab’s Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora visited the site on Wednesday along with senior district officials and announced that restoration work on the historic gurdwara would begin immediately.
Arora directed the Auqaf Department to investigate the ownership status of the land, saying preliminary findings suggested the property was not officially registered under the department.
He said the Punjab government remained committed to protecting minority rights and preserving the province’s religious heritage.
Local traders raise concerns
Some traders operating around the site opposed the restoration plan, claiming the premises had remained abandoned for nearly eight decades.
They said several families had settled in the area over the years and numerous businesses now operated from the site. The traders urged the government to provide rehabilitation and alternative livelihood arrangements if any evictions became necessary.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
