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Sikh heritage under attack; first Amritsar,
now Nanded
WSN News
 Nanded
(Maharashtra): In plans frighteningly reminiscent of the Galiara or
"beautification" plan around the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar that wiped
out all the bungas, birthplaces of the Gurus and ancient buildings
in Amritsar, a similar plan is being implemented right now around
Hazur Sahib, Nanded in Maharashtra. These scandalous plans are being
implemented by the Gurdwara and State board in preparation for the
2008 commemorations of the Guruship of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and
therefore a major event is planned in the town of Nanded when
hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to come to Sri Hazur
Sahib.
The result though is the steady demolition, destruction and
vulgarisation of the unique Sikh heritage of the region. The Galiara
plan in Hazur Sahib will bulldoze a number of important heritage
sites and bury under concrete the sacred space where the tenth Guru
once lived, meditated, wrote, ministered and passed away. Nanded is
important to the Sikhs because Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji is known to
have meditated on the banks of river Godavari and spent the last few
days of his life in the region.Just yards from these sacred spaces
plans are in place to bulldoze a corridor that will destroy the last
few historical reminders of the Guru's association with the region.
Unique Sikh architecture that was built with devotion and served
generations are slated for destruction rather than the sensitive
conservation that they deserve.
Behind this deplorable scheme are the Gurdwara Board who are intent
on cashing in on the celebrations by constructing massive austere
pilgrim hostels at the expense of sensitive and ancient built
heritage. Demolition activity is in progress with much fervour
around the inner shrine of Sri Hazur Sahib.
Among those tasked with seeing through these plans are Dr. Parvinder
Singh Pasricha, the chairman of the Prashasak Committee for the 2008
event. Dr Pasricha is also the Director General of Police in
Maharashtra.
The proposed plan lacks adequate sensitivity to the heritage
buildings, some of them are of sacred association. These buildings
include the Baradari (built during the times of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, built to house the Guru Granth sahib and the weapons of the
Guru while the shrine was being built in early 19th century)
Also at great threat is the Ramgarhia Bunga (built during the time
of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to provide accommodation to the masons who
arrived from Punjab to build the shrine of Sri Hazur Sahib with the
offerings sent by Maharaja Ranjit Singh). The historic stepwell in
the forecourt of the inner shrine is in need of urgent restoration.
The stepwell exists, while the Modikhana has been recently
demolished Many local residents as well as pilgrims are seriously
concerned about the loss and threat to heritage on account of this
mindless demolition activity.
10 January, 2007
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