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Tapasthan Guru Nanak in disrepair
WSN News
Some parts of
the gurdwara had been demolished by locals and the families living
in it, but now it faces even more problems
VEHARI (PAKISTAN):
In a distressing piece of news from Pakistan where efforts are
afoot to beautify and develop Sri Nankana Sahib, the historical
Gurdwara of Guru Nanak Dev Ji popularly known as
Tapasthan Guru Nanak is a picture of neglect and abandonment thanks
to inadequate efforts of the Evacuee Trust Property Board.
Situated at Chak
317/EB on Sahuka-Burewala
Road, the gurdwara has a special significance for the Sikhs Guru
Nanak stayed here and also at the shrine of Haji Sher Chawli
Mashaikh. The shrine is not more than half-a-kilometre from the
place. The government and the ETPB were bound to protect all worship
places of minorities under the Liaquat-Nehru pact. Burewala Tehsil
Nazim Usman Warraich said the Punjab
government had allocated Rs3 million for the renovation of the
gurdwara building a few months back, but the grant was never
released.
At present,
three families have occupied the gurdwara building, which is now in
a sate of disrepair. Occupants of the building often refuse to allow
Pakistani journalists from visiting the historical site in Burewala.
It has been reported by some locals that the occupant families with
the connivance of some local district administration officials were
trying to get this land allotted in their names. A few years back
valuables, hidden underground, including silver, gold and coins, had
been stolen from the gurdwara. After the theft incident, the
authorities concerned had sealed the internal door of gurdwara.
Some parts of
the gurdwara had already been demolished by locals and the families
living in it, but the district and tehsil administrations did
nothing to protect this historical building. Muhammad Saleem, an old
resident, claimed the ETPB had not spent a penny on the renovation
of the gurdwara after the partition despite earning millions of
rupees annually.
Gurdwara Pehli
Patshahian, the graceful darbar of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is also in bad
repair due to its occupation by three families. The Sikh devotees,
including former revenue minister Sardar Harnek Singh, Forest
Minister Hans Raj Josan and others visited the place and expressed
their concern over the dilapidated condition of the place of
worship.
27 September, 2006
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