Golden Temple’s Heritage Status Move

[BibaKaur]

tribuneindia.com

Ludhiana, February 3

The grant of world heritage status to Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, has possibly run into rough weather as UNESCO has sought certain clarifications from the permanent delegation of India to UNESCO.

In its communication to the permanent delegation of India to UNESCO, the Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mr Francisco Bandrin has referred to the concerns expressed by a cross section of Sikhs.

The letter of September 22, 2004, mainly refers to the lack of consultation with representatives of the Sikh community in the process of nomination and the new proposed management system’. The communication clearly says. “Inscription on the world heritage list may be delayed, if it is deemed necessary to ensure the universal agreement from parties concerned.”

The Sikh diaspora particularly in the UK and Canada has expressed strong apprehensions about the fallout of the grant of world heritage status to Darbar Sahib.

The Sikh Human Rights Group based in London and headed by Dr Jasdev Singh Rai has pointed out that “In the past Sikhs have walked into many situations without examining the implications of the documents they agree to for spurious and small promises, only to regret later when grave consequences occur. The Sikhs have shown remarkable inability to assess the implications of arguments and political intrigues. This time the community needs to examine the issues’.

While pointing out the contentious issues, Dr Rai and lawyers Manjit Singh Gill, Navtej Singh Ahluwalia and Satnam Singh Bains fear that grant of world heritage status to Harmandar Sahib will totally compromise its sovereign status and that of Akal Takht Sahib.

They have also pointed out Harmandar Sahib is already one of the best known places around the world and according to the BBC, it is the world’s sixth most popular tourist site.

Dr Rai insists that no purpose would be served in having the world heritage status.

However, Dr Rai admits that the world heritage status will ensure that signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention will refrain from attacking the temple in a regional war and also ensure environmental protection of Darbar Sahib.

Meanwhile, the SGPC authorities have also sought more clarifications from the office of the Director-General, Archaeological Survey of India, instead of allaying the fears of the Sikh diaspora.

Mr Dalmegh Singh, secretary, SGPC, in a letter to the Director, Monuments, Dr Poonancha, has expressed strong desire Sri Harmandar Sahib be included on the world heritage list on the sole condition that the inscription on this prestigious list would not compromise the legal status and ownership rights.

The letter dated November 30, 2004 has also sought to know if any new management rules, regulations would be formulated by UNESCO if such a status is granted’.