Arnima
New Delhi: Expressing concerns at the vandalism carried out at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan, India said that it strongly condemns the acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place.
India said that the members of the minority Sikh community of Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence in the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and it is a matter of great concern for the entire nation.
The matter came into light after an angry group of local residents in Pakistan pelted stones at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib on Friday evening.
Taking the issue into cognizance, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that strong action should be taken against the miscreants who were indulged in the desecration of the Holy Gurudwara. Expressing that the members of the minority Sikh community should be protected by the government, the MEA said, "India has called upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps and ensure safety, security and welfare of the members of Sikh community."
According to the initial reports, the angry group was led by the family of a boy who had earlier allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August 2019. Jagjit Kaur was the daughter of Nankana Sahib Gurudwara's Pathi and was forcibly abducted in August 2019.
Reports suggested that hundreds of angry Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib surrounded Gurudwara and pelted stones on Friday evening. Video of the incident was shared by Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa that showed an angry mob shouting anti-Sikh slogans outside the sacred place.
The Pakistan foreign office has also released a statement that said authorities in Punjab province were informed that there was a scuffle in the city of Nankana Sahib between two Muslim groups. The altercation has reportedly happened on a minor incident at a tea stall and the District Administration immediately intervened and arrested the accused. The Pakistan foreign office has claimed that the Gurudwara remained untouched and undamaged.
