BackIndia condemns vandalism at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan: MEA
Strong action must be taken against those behind desecration of Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and attack on Sikh community in Pakistan, said MEA'India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place,' the MEA said in a statement
PremiumNew Delhi: India on Friday strongly condemned vandalism at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan and called upon the neighbouring country to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there.
In a statement the Indian foreign ministry said New Delhi called on the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims who regularly visit the shrine that marks the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism. It also demanded strong action against the perpetrators of violence and vandalism.
“We are concerned at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara today. Members of the minority Sikh community have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev," the statement said.
“India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the statement said.
“Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community. In addition, Government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and its surroundings," it said.
Small groups of Indian Sikh and other pilgrims travel to Pakistan many times during a year to visit shrines there while Pakistani pilgrims visit India on a regular basis to worship at religious sites in India. While Nankana Sahib is a major pilgrimage centre for Sikhs, Pakistani pilgrims visit Ajmer Sharif in India.
In November, the two countries opened a land crossing to allow indian pilgrims to visit a shrine in Pakistan’s Narowal district where Guru Nanak had spent the last years of his life. This happened despite high levels of tension between the two countries first due to the indian aerial strike against a terrorist training camp in Balakot and later following India revoking the special status bestowed on Kashmir under a temporary provision of its constitution.
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