The demolition of a two‑century‑old gurdwara in Pakistan has ignited a diplomatic and communal controversy. Local authorities in the unnamed Pakistani city ordered the removal of the historic structure, citing plans to develop a modern shopping mall on the 2,000‑square‑metre plot. Workers began dismantling the stone edifice early last week, using heavy machinery that reduced the centuries‑old walls to rubble within hours. Eyewitnesses reported that no prior notice was given to the Sikh community, and that the site’s heritage status, if any, was not consulted before the clearance.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex body that oversees Sikh places of worship worldwide. In a statement released on Thursday, the SGPC described the demolition as "a blatant violation of religious freedom and cultural heritage," urging the Pakistani government to halt the construction and restore the shrine. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s ruling party, echoed these concerns, labeling the act "an affront to the shared history of the subcontinent" and calling for international attention to the plight of Sikh heritage sites in Pakistan.
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Pakistani officials, however, defended the project, asserting that the redevelopment aligns with urban planning goals and will generate employment opportunities. They indicated that compensation will be offered to the custodians of the gurdwara, though details remain vague. The incident arrives amid a broader pattern of heritage disputes between the two neighbours, with several other pre‑partition religious sites reportedly facing neglect or redevelopment pressures.
