File photo of the Punja Sahib Gurdwara in Hassan Abdal. PHOTO: RASHID ALI/ FILE
The renovation work on the centuries-old Gurdwara Bhai Biba Singh is nearing completion, but two parts of the building which constitute the musafir khana (lodging for pilgrims) and langar khana (free meal centre) have not been restored, enraging Sikhs who had been waiting for the reopening since long.
Work at Biba Singh started in January 2012. It was initiated by the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, with a budget of around Rs5.5 million. Biba Singh, within the walled city, is one of the two gurdwaras in the city and has not been used for worship since partition.
Decades of negligence and lack of interest in preserving the gurdwara has done considerable damage to the buildings. The roof of the langar khana has collapsed, while the musafir khana too is in a deplorable state. However, under the renovation project, only the main hall used for worship has been renovated, which was in a far better condition.
The Evacuee Trust Board is now claiming that the langar khana is in fact a Hindu temple established in the premises of the gurdwara and it can therefore not be handed over to the Sikhs.
“The gurdwara building is being restored and two Sikh religious leaders, including a sewadar will be provided for the building and will be paid by the trust,” said Isfaq, a trust board official. “The trust will also maintain the building.” The schedule for making the gurdwara open for worship will be decided by the Sikhs and the trust, he told The Express Tribune.
Sikh elder Baba Amarjit Singh, however, said: “Those people who have a thorough knowledge of the Sikh religion and religious buildings would tell you that the two-storey building is a musafir khana and the small beautiful building in front of the main worship hall is indeed a langar khana and not a Hindu temple.”
He added the gurdwara was established at the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, who died in 1708, making this structure at least 300 years old.
Until 2005, it housed a vocational training centre for girls, which was shifted to a new building following an earthquake. The historical site was declared dangerous and on the verge of collapse.
There are reports that the land of langar khana was auctioned in the 1996, after which Sikhs protested and the demolition of the building was postponed.
Despite repeated attempts, the Minister for Hajj and Auqaf was not available for comment.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (15)
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Thx to all Muslim brothers & sisters for sharing the Sikhs sentiment for Gurdwara. As it is important, whats more important is the love & respect we show for each other. Where we have love & respect, Allaha is. Bricks & mortar cannot do this only Human beings.
@VINOD: Oh, I never knew that shias have separate mosques.
pakistan mein to osama bhi safe nahi hai ....
@Yasin: shame on u..!! dont u have any mosque left in the country for u.!! if u are nt a good muslim be at least a good pakistani.!
Where Shias can not have their masjids safe what do we expect for a gurudwara?
@Yasin: yes we trying it at Babri first
@Yasin: No wonder minorities are trying to flee the country at the first opportunity.Would you convert mosque and share it with Sikhs to pray?
Whether it has been used or not it should be given to the sikh minority. Incentives should be given to the minorities at every level, they are already in a miserable condition in this country of ours. lets hope that auqaf people do not eat up the renovation fund and honestly rebuild our centuries old heritage.
This is a huge problem in KPK and the sad part is no one is willing to deal with it.
Sad we do not have respect for others, whilst Islam teaches tolerance.
Hypocrits we are.
We have already lost so much if our heritage to negligence. While society thrive on preserving their past, we thrive on destroying, building buildings/parking lots on such sites.
It is a beautiful structure. It can be converted into a beautiful Mosque, where sikhs can join us in prayer.
Such a beautiful building in these times of quite insignificant minimalist architecture! Everything should be done to preserve it, because it is a source of joy to all that behold it. What an asset for Peshawar! Make sure to visit it next time I'm around.
Reminds me of Babri Masjid- not used since parttion; built over a Hindu temple. Ethics oif convenience.
Give them the whole building instead of trying to steal it for personal gain. Nothing in Pakistan is above board. We create hurdles for everyone, not going that this hurdle mentality is causing the nation's collapse.