4 days ago
Quetta Sikh Community Alleges Historic Gurdwara Demolished for Mall
Sikhs in Quetta, Pakistan, say an old gurdwara building was knocked down.
They believe the site was given to a private company to build a shopping mall.
The building had also been used by St Gabriel School.
Sikh leaders say officials did not tell or consult them before the demolition.
They say the building was an important part of their religious history.
They also argue that religious properties should not be used for commercial projects.
A Pakistani minister gave a different account, saying the property may have belonged to a Sikh person rather than a gurdwara.
Sikh groups in Pakistan and India are asking the government to investigate and stop the construction.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board has not publicly responded in the report.
Quetta’s Sikh community alleges that Gurdwara Sri Singh Sabha was demolished to make way for a shopping plaza.
The gurdwara building on Archer Road housed St Gabriel School, which was reportedly moved elsewhere after the demolition.
Community leaders say the Evacuee Trust Property Board transferred the property to a private company without consultation.
Pakistan’s Punjab minorities minister, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, said his information indicated the property belonged to a Sikh individual, not a gurdwara.
Sikh representatives in Pakistan and India have protested and urged authorities to halt commercial construction and protect the site.
- Who
- The Balochistan Sikh Council and other local minority and civil-society groups made the allegations; Pakistan’s minorities minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora offered a differing account.
- What
- A building identified by Sikh leaders as Gurdwara Sri Singh Sabha was allegedly demolished and transferred for a shopping plaza.
- Where
- On Archer Road in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
- When
- The Sikh community said the demolition occurred since June; the year was not specified.
- Why
- Sikh leaders allege it was demolished for commercial development, while a Pakistani minister said the property may not have been a gurdwara.
Sikh Community’s Allegation
Differing Official Account
Property identity
Sikh Community’s Allegation
Jasbir Singh and the Balochistan Sikh Council say documents show the site belongs to Gurdwara Sri Singh Sabha.
Differing Official Account
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said his information indicated that the property belonged to a Sikh man rather than a gurdwara.
Reason for demolition
Sikh Community’s Allegation
Sikh leaders allege the building was demolished and handed to a private company to construct a shopping plaza.
Differing Official Account
The report does not provide a response from the Evacuee Trust Property Board or confirm the alleged commercial transfer.
Consultation and permissible use
Sikh Community’s Allegation
The local Sikh community says it was not informed or consulted and argues that religious properties cannot be given away for commercial activity.
Differing Official Account
The reported official account disputes the building’s status as a gurdwara, leaving the ownership and permitted use contested.
Key facts
- Site
- Gurdwara Sri Singh Sabha on Archer Road, Quetta
- Reported use
- The building housed St Gabriel School, which was reportedly relocated.
- Alleged developer
- A private company said by the Sikh community to have received the property for a shopping plaza.
- Property authority
- The Evacuee Trust Property Board is described as the guardian of Hindu and Sikh properties left after Partition migration.
- Community position
- Sikh leaders say the property belongs to the gurdwara and should not be used for commercial activity.
- Official position
- Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said his information indicated the property belonged to a Sikh man, not a gurdwara.
- Response status
- ETPB chairman Qamar Uz Zaman was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and messages.
Quotes
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora
Pakistan’s minister for Minorities Affairs in West Punjab and president of the PSGPC
“The ETPB is the caretaker of all the properties left behind by migrants during partition… but according to my information, the property belonged to a Sikh man, not a gurdwara.”
indianexpress.com
“They didn’t just demolish a building. They have demolished a piece of our history, our faith, and our identity”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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