The historic Gurdwara Sri Rori Sahib in Lahore has been reduced to debris following recent torrential rains in the region, compelling the Sikh historians and heritage experts to lament over the apathy of the Pakistani government and reiterate their long-standing demand of preserving the historic religious sites of Sikhism across the Country.
Having been built to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Jahman village in Lahore along with Bhai Mardana, the gurdwara was already in a state of disrepair and was about to collapse.
Repeatedly demands were made in the past to restore the fast-crumbling building gurdwara as well as dilapidated Sikh sites across the Country and ensure their preservation; however, none of the governments in Pakistan batted an eye on it.
When heavy rains lashed Lahore over the past few days, the Gurdwara Rori Sahib collapsed with just a portion of wall left standing.
Expressing his dismay over the negligence by the government resulting in the collapse of the historic gurdwara, Pakistan-based historian Imran William said that it was “one of the saddest and the darkest days” for the Sikh history.
“The gurdwara structure was already in ruins and despite the fact that we highlighted it several times, the restoration and preservation work was never started by Pakistan government. Last night (Sunday), the remaining structure also collapsed due to heavy rain. The overflowing water from a nearby pond was seeping into the gurdwara structure, which probably led to the final collapse,” Imran William told The Indian Express over phone.
Imran William, who visited the site on July 10, 2023, told that frescos and artworks inside the gurdwara including those with Gurbani inscribed on them have now been reduced to debris.
“It is our utter failure that we failed to preserve a piece of history which was related to the founder of Sikhism,” he said.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the President Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Ameer Singh said that he was aware that the said that the gurdwara was in ruins.
“We got to know that structure collapsed due to heavy rain last night. The issue is that hardly any Sikh sangat is now left in that area so there’s no one take care of it on daily basis. But the plan to restore the gurdwara is in pipeline. We have constituted a team which will visit the site soon. The land surrounding the gurdwara and water body also belongs to Sikh community,” Ameer Singh said.
Both Imran William and Ameer Singh dismissed false reports that the Gurdwara Rori Sahib was demolished by miscreants.
