Sikh Shrine In Lahore 'taken Over By Hooligans'

[Sarbloh]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive...7/21/c8871.html

World Sikh Organization raises Sikh Shrine occupation issue with Pakistan President

OTTAWA, Aug. 21 /CNW Telbec/

- The World Sikh Organization has learned of

the occupation of Gurdwara Bhai Taru Singh at Naulakha Bazaar, Lahore by

certain "hooligans". These individuals have also denied Sikh visitors access

to the Gurdwara Sahib and have apparently defaced the shrine as well.

The situation is of great concern to the Sikh community worldwide.

Pakistan is home to many historical Sikh shrines such as the birthplace of

Guru Nanak Sahib at Nankana Sahib, Punja Sahib at Hassan Abdal and many

others. Thousands of Sikhs come every year to worship at these shrines. The

Evacuee Trust Property Board has been looking after Sikh Shrines in Pakistan

for 60 years now. It is of great importance to the Sikh community worldwide

that Sikh shrines continue to be protected and access is ensured for all those

who come to pay their respects.

The WSO has written to President Musharraf of Pakistan asking him to

intervene and ensure that Gurdwara Bhai Taru Singh be restored to the Sikhs

and the "hooligans" be prevented from re-entering. The WSO trusts that the

Government of Pakistan will move quickly to resolve the situation and thus

help to build an even stronger relationship with the Sikh community worldwide

WSO International President Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal said, "Sikhs accord

respect to all religions, and in turn expect that their religion be respected

and the Sikh Shrines be protected."

For further information: Jasbeer Singh, Media Relations, (780) 457-3333,

Cell. (780) 235-6000, magmaint@hotmail.com; Amanpreet Singh Bal, (905)

567-1795, Cel. (647) 224-0000, asinghbal@gmail.com

[Sarbloh]

According to ***anti-sikh website not allowed***., Delhi Gurdwra Comittee have stated that the claims are false. As per Delhi Gurdwara Committee, two SIKH factions are fighting for control and one faction called in Goonda reinforcements.

[Sarbloh]

http://newspostindia.com/report-12314

Indian Sikhs Visiting Lahore Over Gurdwara Row

THURSDAY 23RD OF AUGUST 2007 A delegation of Indian Sikhs is planning a visit here following the takeover of the Bhai Taro Singh Gurdwara by a group that claims it to be part of a Muslim saint's shrine.

The delegation from the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee will probe the matter, said the Daily Times quoting reliable sources.

Meanwhile, as the dispute snowballs, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Lahore has ordered the demolition of 18 shops close to the gurdwara to provide a separate entrance to the shrine of Pir Kaku Shah, a Muslim saint whose tomb lies in the Sikh temple premises.

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee chairman Bishin Singh has said that they would hold a meeting within a week to discuss the issue.

Sohail Butt, the leader of the group occupying the gurdwara, has threatened to resist if the government and Sikhs tried to stop them from entering the shrine.

He said followers of the saint have painted the temple dome green and started offering evening prayers.

They have also started reciting the holy Quran in the shrine on Thursdays. He said the followers had urged the government to allow them to visit the shrine daily, instead of Thursdays only.

The gurdwara is situated near Naulakha Bazaar here and has been maintained by the ETPB.

According to an insider, the occupants took over the gurdwara after a former gatekeeper of the shrine claimed to have received the 'divine' instruction from Pir Kaku Shah. The gatekeeper has since been transferred by ETPB.

Sikhs are a small minority in Pakistan, where a number of shrines belonging to their faith are mainly located in Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

In an editorial this week, the Daily Times sought early official intervention to 'evict hooligans' who it said had 'occupied' the gurdwara.

It urged an early end to the dispute and warned that it could become 'as explosive as Lal Masjid' -- a reference to the military assault on the Islamabad based mosque and seminary complex in which over 100 people were killed.