Parliament Question: Preservation and Protection of Sikh Religious Sites Abroad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2125 ANSWERED ON-31/07/2026 PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SIKH RELIGIOUS SITES ABROAD †2125. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is aware of the incident regarding the demolition of a portion of the approximately 125-years-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib located at Farooqabad in Pakistan and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard; (b) whether the Government of India has raised the issue of the protection and conservation of Sikh religious and heritage sites with the Government of Pakistan at the diplomatic level and if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of cases relating to damage or encroachment of religious places belonging to Sikh and other minority communities in Pakistan against which the Government has registered its objections during the last five years; and 1(d) the policy and action plan of the Government for the preservation and protection of Sikh religious and cultural heritage sites situated across the world? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to d) The Government is aware of the reported demolition of a portion of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. The Government strongly condemned the act, and urged the Government of Pakistan to expeditiously investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice. In the last five years, the Government has raised at least 550 major incidents of atrocities against minorities, including 31 cases of desecration of religious places, with the Government of Pakistan. The Government has urged the Government of Pakistan to discharge its obligations to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its minority communities and their places of worship, and put a decisive end to the prevailing environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance in Pakistan. The Government, through its diplomatic Missions and Posts abroad, 2remains in touch with the host Governments to address the issues related to minority communities, including the Sikh community. The Government, from time to time, also raises these issues at multilateral fora, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). ***** 3