– Harjinder Singh Dhami -Abolishing existence of Sikh shrine against Constitution, President and Prime Minister should intervene
Faridkot The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken strong notice of the conversion of the historical shrine associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, into a Buddhist shrine at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tapasthan is located at Mechuka in memory of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which has recently been converted into a Buddhist shrine. On April 8, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu shared some photos of his visit on social media, from which it is clear that this Sikh shrine at Mechuka has now been converted into a Buddhist shrine. The SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami termed this act as an attack on Sikhs and said that converting any religious place of one community to that of another religion is a direct violation of Article 25 of the Constitution of India. He said that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji had made religious journeys to different countries for the welfare of humanity, which is known as Udasis in Sikh history. Accordingly, there is a reference to Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Mechuka as well. The SGPC President said that Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tapasthan was established at Mechuka in memory of the Guru. Historian Colonel Dalvinder Singh Grewal had made an important contribution to the development of this Gurdwara in Mechuka and with the support of the Indian Army, this Gurdwara Sahib was handed over to the Sangat in March 1987. “But it is highly unfortunate that now a mischievous attempt has been made to destroy this memorial shrine of the first Sikh Guru. It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh after visiting this historical Sikh shrine is showing it as a Buddhist shrine. This act is going to hurt Sikh sentiments, which will be strongly opposed at all levels”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami. The SGPC President said that this is a very serious matter, in which the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the National Commission for Minorities should intervene immediately. He said that many cases related to Sikh shrines located in different parts of the country are already pending and now another case has been created. This is another example of discrimination against Sikhs, on which the Indian government should take cognizance and move towards a solution. He said that in this regard, the SGPC will write letters to the President and the representatives of the Government of India and ask for action.