Call to preserve Sikh heritage

LAHORE : The sixth edition of Lahore Literary Festival offered soul-searching topics to feed Lahorites’ appetite for art and literature but the limelight was drawn towards the preservation of heritage in its true spirit.

“There are nearly two million people in Pakistan who follow the faith of Sikhism, which can be a reason to promote Pakistan’s soft image but it was not being tapped properly,” said Amardeep Singh, the author of the book “The Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan”, while speaking at a session “Sikh Heritage after the Raj” in Hall-II on Saturday, the opening day of the LLF 2018.

He narrated his journey to 36 cities of Pakistan within a short span of 30 days, which shows his motivation to know more about the Sikh heritage in all parts of the country. He started his journey to see Sikh legacy because his father inspired him to do so.

He said, “It is the legacy which is not usually discussed. I felt so heartbroken when I wasn’t allowed to go inside the forts of Jamrud and Attock. The Sikh community built 24 forts along the Indus and now there are one or two left. I went to explore many gurudwaras and came across the one near Rawalpindi, and a man, who was the caretaker of that holy place, told me 'we have been using this place as a community hall after it had served as a medical centre for nearly 30 years after Partition. Some people came and started digging out the hall of the gurudwara as they thought there is a treasure buried but the villagers stopped them and saved the place from getting demolished." Every citizen has to do his part to protect the heritage. I can bet if you preserved those heritage, hundreds of Sikhs will pay thousands of rupees to visit their holy places and it will increase the tourism of Pakistan and its softer image will get its due hype all over the world.”

“Spirituality always tried to bring people together. Hazrat Mian Mir laid the first stone of Golden Temple. He also belongs to us. We have massive respect for Baba Farid and Baba Bulley Shah. There was a Muslim community named 'Bhai Mardana; which used to accompany our last Guru. At the time of Partition, this community moved to Pakistan as they believed that this border will not be permanent. But now they are here in Pakistan and still visit the gurudwaras and pay their tribute to our holy saint,” he added.

He requested the government of Pakistan, saying, “To paint every monument in white is not a good way to preserve the heritage. The fresco on each old building tells different stories of that era. After many decades we will have the money to restore these priceless pieces of history but till then they will vanish."

He said, "Many Sikhs want to do something for the restoration of their holy places and I think every minority should do their effort to save their cultural and religious heritage. My work inspires every community to work for the betterment of their own community and religious heritage. I adore Pakistani government for putting some effort to restore the heritage but they still have to do a lot more and we are ready to help them in every manner.”