Nankana Sahib: Pro-Khalistani Gopal Chawla Present As Muslim Leaders Delegation Visits Gurdwara

In view of the attack on Gurudwara Nankana Sahib, a delegation of Muslim leaders visited Nankana Sahib and interacted with the members of Sikh community on Saturday. Pro-Khalistani leader Gopal Chawla was also seen with the delegation. According to the External Affairs Ministry, 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.

Pakistan: A delegation of Muslim leaders visited Nankana Sahib today and interacted with the members of Sikh community there, condemning yesterday's mob attack on Nankana Sahib. Pro-Khalistani leader Gopal Chawla (in purple turban in pics) was also seen with the delegation. pic.twitter.com/xnG4JRvR57

— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2020

Pakistan has, however, rejected media reports that the historic Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib in Lahore was desecrated in a mob attack, saying the birthplace of founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak remains "untouched and undamaged" and  the "claims of destruction" of one of the holiest Sikh shrines are "false".

Police in Pakistan said on Friday that a group of people, led by the family of a Muslim man who married a Sikh teenager, held a day-long sit-in outside the gurdwara to protest the arrest of their relatives who were held for alleged forced conversion of the girl.

In India, several organisations protested on Saturday against the attack on Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. The protesters, who marched towards Pakistan High Commission raising slogans against Pakistan, were stopped near Chanakyapuri police station.

Meanwhile, condemning the attack on Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, the BJP on Saturday said that the incident justifies amendments made to the citizenship law to protect minorities in three neighbouring countries.

Addressing a conference here, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said minorities in Pakistan have been subjected to threats for civil conversion, rapes and violence for decades and the Nankana incident shows how minorities there are persecuted and why they need citizenship in India.