India protests plans for converting Pak gurdwara into mosque

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 27

India has lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan High Commission on the reported incident whereby Gurdwara ‘Shahidi Asthan’, site of martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh ji at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore, was claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj and attempts made to convert it to a mosque. 

In response to a media query regarding Gurdwara ‘Shahidi Asthan’, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava pointed out that Bhai Taru Ji made the supreme sacrifice in 1745 at this historical gurdwara.

As 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, he added.

“India expressed its concerns, in strongest terms, on this incident and called upon Pakistan to investigate the matter and take immediate remedial measures. Pakistan was also called upon to look after the safety, security, wellbeing of its minority communities including protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage,” said the spokesperson.