According to some media reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine. (Photo Credit: ANI)
Islamabad:
Pakistan government rejected reports that Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib, also known as the Gurdwara Janam Asthan, the site where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born, was attacked by certain groups.
In a midnight statement, Pakistan Foreign Office said it was told by the provincial authorities in the Punjab province that there was a scuffle between two Muslim groups near the holiest Sikh site on Friday.
The fight broke out following a minor incident at a tea-stall and the local authority immediately intervened and arrested the accused.
FO alleged that attempts were made to paint this incident as a communal issue. “Most importantly, the Gurdwara remains untouched and undamaged,” FO statement read.
Meanwhile, India strongly condemned attack and subsequent vandalism at the revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. According to reports, hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday over the matter of a Sikh woman who had been allegedly forced to convert to Islam.
The Ministry of External Affairs said members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. India called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there.
"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 ji," the MEA said in a statement.
"These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year," it added.
"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place," the MEA said.
"We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the MEA added.
"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.
The reports said that the mob was led by the family of Mohammad Ehsaan, the boy who allegedly abducted and converted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is the daughter of the gurdwara's caretaker. In August 2019, a caretaker at Nankana Sahib Gurudwara had complained that his youngest daughter, 19-year-old Jagjit Kaur had been kidnapped and forced to convert by six people. According to Dawn, a mob started to assemble and surround the gurudwara on Friday afternoon, demanding that the arrested suspects be released.
(With Inputs From PTI)
