Contrary to the Pakistan Government’s claims that international level preparations were afoot to observe the 400th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth spiritual leader of Sikhs in Tarn Taran, the Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore is in an utter state of neglect.

Even after getting liberal donations from Sikhs all over the world for renovation of the Sikh shrines in Pakistan, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (PSGPC) has failed to save and rebuild the Shrine. Cracks are easily visible on the wall of Dera Sahib Gurdwara.

The frescos, which were considered to be prepared few centuries ago, have either been replaced by bathroom tiles or been with whitewash. What is even more astonishing is that centuries-old paintings and murals at Dera Sahib have been replaced with tiles.

The interior walls of the Gurdwara were adorned with murals but unfortunately, many of these have been obliterated beyond recognition, and at present, only a few panels have left. The painting represents the Hindu gods and goddesses and as well as Sikh durbar during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Dr. Gurcharan Singh Bachan, former secretary, SGPC, who recently visited the Shrine, said that on the one hand, the Government of Pakistan claimed of paying special attention to preserving the religious and cultural heritage of Sikhs and special allocations were made for maintaining their sacred places. But on the contrary, the same was destroying the Sikh art and history.

Dr. Bachan said that the most of the Sikh art and work could be seen on walls in frescos and very less work was done on paper. He advised that the Pakistan Government should take immediate steps and must take help of the conservatives and art technicians to save the Sikh heritage and culture.
 
Kiranjt Kaur, former general secretary of SGPC and a noted critic, said, ”I was deeply hurt when I saw the condition of the Gurdwara in Pakistan, though the newly formed Pakistan Sikh Committee has been doing some work for the face lift of few Sikh shrines, but a lot of work is yet to be done”.

She regretted that even after getting huge donations from the Sikh community from all over the world, the Pakistan Government had failed to save the art which was kept there as their valued positions.

She further went on to say that to mark the 400th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, the Pakistan Government should make efforts to repaint the murals and frescoes with the help of the old paintings preserved by Sikh artisans and experts.

Sikhs living in India and abroad will observe the 400th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth spiritual leader of Sikhs in Tarn Taran, which was founded by the Guru. Several other functions in this regard would also be held in Lahore where Mughal Emperor Jahangir martyred the Guru.

The martyrdom anniversary will be observed for the first time officially by Pakistan’s Punjab Government in June next year.

Pakistan Government has already given its nod to arrange mega function on the occasion and announced a liberal visa would be provided to the Sikh pilgrimages on the occasion.

Claims were also made that the government was making every effort to make the visit of Sikh pilgrims comfortable so that they do not face any difficulty in visiting their holy places in Pakistan.