Despite losing heritage buildings, social, religious and Sikh national archive material and artefacts over the decades, the apex Gurdwara management body of the Sikhs, also called the Sikh Parliament, has not learnt anything. There is no effort whatsoever to take steps towards the renovation of historical buildings, especially those surrounding religious places including the Mecca of the Sikhs -Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. The Panjab Digital Library has expressed concern and called for caution in moving further in the matter and sought the immediate intervention of conservationists, heritage experts and the Archaeology and Archives department of the government of Punjab. WSN reports.

THE SUDDEN DISCOVERY OF OLD ARCHITECTURAL BUILDINGS during an excavation by a body of Sikh sewadars -called Kar Sewa Babas, without any reference to history, care about heritage has shaken Sikh spheres who care for heritage and culture.  The spirited protest by Darbar Sahib Kirtaniye Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala was able to stop the bulldozing designs and program of the SGPC-sponsored Kar Sewa wallahs and the elite SGPC vigilantes -called Task Force, who would resort to manhandling and beating anyone who opposed to the SGPC authoritarian leaders.

The Panjab Digital Library, which has been digitising millions of pages relating to Sikh history, Punjab history, Sikh heritage and more have expressed their deep anguish at the efforts to silence those who attempted to stop the destruction of the heritage site.

The PDL release said, “Nearly 250 years ago a variety of buildings were constructed by the Sikhs in the periphery of the shrine. These buildings were called bungas. They were, of course, subsequently demolished during the widening of the Parikarma -the perambulation of Darbar Sahib, around 1944.”

“The location and the nature of the excavated site suggests that there is every likelihood of it being a part of the historic Sarkar-e-Khalsa Ranjit Singh’s bunga which was demolished by the British to make way for the construction of a grand Clock Tower after the Panjab was annexed in 1849. The demolition of this bunga was an act to keep memories of Ranjit Singh out of sight, thus making an effort to keep him out of the mind of the Sikhs.”

Available historical evidence suggests that during the demolition of the clock tower, stairs and a passageway were found which were used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to visit Sri Harimandir Sahib.

In a shocking revelation, the Panjab Digital Library release revealed that the clock tower stood there for more than a half-century when this too was demolished after the SGPC gained management rights of the historical Gurduaras following the enactment of the Gurduara Act in 1925.

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Available historical evidence suggests that during the demolition of the clock tower, stairs and a passageway were found which were used by the Maharaja to visit Sri Harimandir Sahib. SGPC even demolished these stairs despite resistance from the prominent Sikhs.

Retired Professor of Punjabi -Prof. Harpal Singh who is now part of the Panjab Digital Library, speaking to WSN said, “This is all very disconcerting. When viewed from this angle the place is a heritage site of immense significance and must not be harmed any further at the moment. Any digging around this place should stop forthwith till the extensive archaeological investigation is completed to establish its historical identity.”

“The Directorate of Cultural Affairs Archaeology & Archives of the Panjab Government should intervene in view of the immense importance of this site as a remnant of the historical past,”

“The Directorate of Cultural Affairs Archaeology & Archives of the Panjab Government should intervene in view of the immense importance of this site as a remnant of the historical past,” added the press release of the PDL.

Social media concern from Punjab and the Diaspora has forced the SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur to say that “in case they are heritage sites of importance, we will stop the work”.

Author of “The Other Sikhs” and a friend of Sikhs, working on Sikh history for the last five decades -Dr Himadri Banerjee, shocked at the developments, spoke to WSN saying, “Those who had earlier planned these heritage sites, must have had a definite plan of their own, but those who have systemically planned to destroy these Sikh heritages, they are simply destroyers and not the harbingers of a new Sikh order.”

Davinder Pal Singh expressing deep reservations at the casual approach of the SGPC said, “A lot of heritage has been lost to ignorance, callousness, and apathy. It is important that we preserve what remains.”

Since the last 18 years of its existence, the Panjab Digital Library (PDL) -a global non-profit organization is committedly focused on locating, digitizing, preserving, collecting, and providing accessibility to the accumulated wisdom of the Panjab region without distinction to script, language, religion, nationality, or any other physical condition.

Heritage author-activist and former Head, Guru Ramdas School of Planning Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Prof. Dr Balvinder Singh, while talking on the phone line with WSN said, “I had personally gone and attempted to stop the digging up of these Bungas in 1997 or thereabouts. I have a part of the bricks that were removed and consigned as waste. I have seen how the British have saved such heritage. SGPC should take a leaf out of the books of world-class conservationists rather than only depend upon Kar Sewa volunteers and workers.”

“Kar sewa is a unique concept in Sikh religion but it should be carried on under the guidance of professionals,” he added.

In his sharp reaction to the ineptitude and crass ignorance of the SGPC conducting its expansionist operations, Prof. Dr Balvinder Singh who has recently published a book on conservation of shrines entitled ‘Splendid Artworks in Historic Sikh Shrines of India and Pakistan: Conservation Perspective’, said, “The SGPC should not be allowed to make unilateral changes to any historical or religious building without the sanction of an external experts committee.”

 

Speaking to World Sikh News, Davinder Pal Singh, the sheet-anchor of PDL said, “We are dedicated to saving historical archives, addressing heritage loss, and connecting people globally by providing free online access. With more than thirty million pages digitized, PDL has created the largest digital resource of Panjab heritage for posterity and is facilitating ways for any person to connect with the ‘land of five rivers’ and unfold its linguistic and cultural vastness.”