Land mafia knocks over historical Sikh temple in Mardan
Dawn Report | 29th March, 2012
Thousand of Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) arriving by rail at the Wagah border.—AFP File Photo
PESHAWAR: Over 150-year old historical temple of Baba Karam Singh was demolished overnight by the land mafia in Mardan, DawnNews reported on Thursday.
The 35 feet tall national heritage was turned into debris in the native town of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Hoti. A well and some old constructions around the temple were also demolished by the land grabbers, said the report.
The temple of Baba Karam Singh, built in 1846, is considered one of the holy places for the people belonging to Sikh religion.
The Sikh community of the province has demanded reconstruction of the temple and also protection to the other sacred places for them.
Hmmm, another one bites the dust. what else to expect. Atleast no woman was kidnapped. the def of 'normal' seems to be missing in some people out here.
There is no justification for such acts. My sympathy goes to all the Sikhs community. I have sikh frined and they are nice bunch of guys.
But I would request to people to not make it religius because these land grabs have even taken over Muslim cemetaries in Pakistan. So in my view they are just concerned with monies and nothing else. I hope the temple is quickly built. I hope hte community comes togather to built the temple because I don't see the currupt government doing anything. All they will do is make the situation worst.
I hope Imran Khan wins the next election.
One wonders why Hoti is keeping so quiet about this, instead of going after the land mafia and holding them accountable. It boggles the mind that a 150 year old temple can be demolished with such impunity by a gang of crooks. The government of Pakistan owes an apology to the Sikh community and needs to reconstruct the temple.
Just because Hindus destroy Muslim mosques does not mean Pakistani people are the same. This is the act of land mafia and not ordinary people. The ordinary people of Pakistan are very decent and you never hear them destroy other peoples religious property except the idiot Taliban or those led by fascist Islamic parties like the LET etc.
The destruction of this Sikh temple is a disgrace to Pakistan, and I wish to apoligzie to my sikh brethern, the govt of KPK should immediately announce a new temple be built on the same land and those guilty of this crime be brought to justice.
i agree with u
sumit kalra
India
Protecting minorities and their places of worship is the responsibility of the people in power and thus those responsible should be brought to justice.
If Pakistan survives in future,(which I pray ,it should) …. The credit will go to the institutions like dawn…
…the kind of situation ,the are facing in Pakistan…and the balanced, true approach they are maintaining is really commendable…they are doing an excellent job..
Unrecoverable mistake done by few Muslim (Which is not confirmed whether they are muslims or not). By the way, the man who loves money doesn’t keep interest in religion. All Sikhs are respectable to us but all muslims must not be blamed for this act. It is the responsibility of Govt. and security agencies to secure the minorities culture, religion etc.
hi, no sikh ever destro any tempal or masjit in punjab , india. or any other placce in world.we help others to built their worship places.come to punjab, india .and see by yourself. we have two elected lagislater muslim . they are elected by sikhs and and others. pls dont blame this act to majority of muslims in pk, punjab.punish this mad land mufia. we sikh dont need govt. help for money. just start building . money will come. just let us know.also start building guru nanak univercity and medical colleage, in nankana sahib. money will por in from around world.no need to blame others. punish that mad man. thks
There is no justification of demolished of this temple.e land grabbers, religious extremists. It should be reconstruct without any excuse and delay. It is the responsibility of Khaber Pukhtonkhwa provisional government to rebuild it. Pakistan is having sectarian problem i.e sunni againt shia, shia againt sunni….We Pakistanis ourselves are worried because of these these religious extremists in our nation . But let me say this is not a picture of the whole nation, only few extremists wants to impose their rule of law. We shouldn't look what Indian government did with Babri Masjid, if we follow the same path the there is no difference between good and bad.
Since Pakistan is at the vanguard of protesting blasphemy, shouldn't they treat this as blasphemy and impose the death penalty on the criminals involved?
When human life has no value in Pakistan, and generally in S.Asia, what value does one place on an old temple? Life itself is not precious, history starts after Islam came to Sindh (nothing else existed before apparently).
there must have been something in the temple of great value for it to be secretly destroyed