Amritsar: The officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, wrote a letter to Pakistan’s Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, asking for the protection and preservation of Sikh historical heritage sites in Lahore’s Walled City, particularly Lal Khooh and Kattari Chandu, which are associated with the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev.In his letter, copied to provincial minister and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Ramesh Singh Arora, the jathedar asked the provincial govt there to conduct an inquiry into the present status of Lal Khooh and Kattari Chandu. “If any construction or alteration work is underway at the site, stop it immediately until the inquiry is completed,” wrote Giani Gargajj.He also demanded the examination of the historical and heritage significance of the site by experts from the Walled City of Lahore Authority, the province’s archaeology department and other departments concerned.He suggested the inclusion of Sikh history experts and representatives of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in the examination. “If the historical significance of the site is established, initiate necessary action to have it legally protected as a heritage site,” he said.He suggested a comprehensive heritage survey of all major sites associated with Sikh history in Lahore’s Walled City, documenting their present condition, historical significance, ownership and legal status.In the letter, he wrote that the issue concerning Lal Khooh and Kattari Chandu had been brought to the attention of Akal Takht by the Sikh sangat. He said there were concerns regarding construction-related activity around the site, which was a matter of serious concern. However, rather than relying on assumptions, he called for an official fact-finding inquiry into the matter, he wrote.He clarified the purpose of the communication was not to level allegations against any govt, institution or individual, but to draw attention to Lahore’s shared historical heritage and the important chapters of Sikh history associated with the city.
