According to reports, Pakistan plans to convert Gurdwara Sri Shahidi Asthan Sahib, a historic gurdwara located in Lahore into a mosque.
This action by Pakistan was immediately condemned by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday (July 28) and the former Indian Army officer called upon the Centre to communicate the state’s concerns to Pakistan.
Gurdwara Shahidi Asthan Sahib is a historical shrine built at the spot where Bhai Taru Singh, a Sikh leader was brutally tortured and his head scalped by Mughal soldiers for not converting to Islam.
The Punjab CM also urged Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar to take necessary action.
Strongly condemn attempts being made to convert holy Gurdwara Sri Shahidi Asthan in Lahore, site of martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh Ji, into mosque. Urge @DrSJaishankar to convey Punjab's concerns in strongest terms to Pakistan to safeguard all Sikh places of reverence.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 28, 2020
India has already lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the issue and MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, on Monday said, “A strong protest was lodged with the Pakistan high commission today on the reported incident whereby Gurdwara Shahidi Asthan, site of martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singhji at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore, Pakistan, has been claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj and attempts are being made to convert it to a mosque,”.
“The gurdwara is a place of reverence and considered sacred by the Sikh community. This incident has been viewed with grave concern in India. There have been calls for justice for the minority Sikh community in Pakistan,” Mr. Srivastava added.
Pakistan has a long history of persecuting minorities and it was just a few days back authorities had demolished Ahmaidya burial grounds. The Ahmaidyas of Pakistan are not considered as Muslims as per their Constitution.
Pakistan has never kept its promise of safeguarding minorities in Pakistan including the protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage.
Earlier, Muslims of Pakistan stopped the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad.