Gurdwara ‘Shahidi Asthan' In Lahore Being Converted Into Mosque; Why Is It Grave Concern For India?

According to the reports, the sacred shrine Gurudwara 'Shahidi Asthan' has been claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj and attempts are being made to convert it to a mosque

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India on Monday lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan High Commission on the reported incident whereby Gurudwara 'Shahidi Asthan' in Pakistan's Lahore is being reportedly converted into a mosque. 'Shahidi Asthan' is a historical Gurudwara located at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore, Pakistan, where Bhai Taru Ji made supreme sacrifice in 1745. The Gurudwara is a place of reverence and considered sacred by the Sikh community According to the reports, the sacred shrine has been claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj and attempts are being made to convert it to a mosque. This incident has been viewed with grave concern in India. Speaking on this note, India Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India has taken the cognizance of the incident and expressed its concerns. "There have been calls for justice for the minority Sikh community in Pakistan. India has called upon Pakistan to investigate the matter and take immediate remedial measures." Srivastava while bring the media over the incident further told that Pakistan was also called upon to look after the safety, security, well-being of its minority communities including protection of their religious rights and cultural heritage. This is not the first incident where the Sikh community in Pakistan has expressed their concerns over being persecuted by the upper hand in Pakistan. Earlier this year in January, members of Delhi Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee took out a protest march outside the Pakistan High Commission in response to the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan. Delhi MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the attack on Gurudwara a cowardly act and called out the silence of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. ALSO WATCH | India's spy satellite Kautilya captures China soldiers' position in Tibet