Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan has targeted Sikh-majority areas and Gurdwaras, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities. The recent shelling near the Aap Shambhu Temple in Jammu’s Roop Nagar area and damage to Gurdwaras in Poonch have drawn sharp criticism from the Indian government. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has firmly condemned Pakistan’s actions, highlighting the targeting of Sikh communities and rejecting Pakistan’s false propaganda of Indian attacks on religious sites.
Pakistan’s Targeting of Sikh Areas and Gurdwaras
On May 7, Pakistan launched a targeted attack on the Sikh community in Poonch, shelling a Gurdwara and several homes of Sikh residents. The assault left 16 civilians dead and numerous others injured.
Addressing a press meet, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned the attack, stating, “Yesterday, Pakistan launched a targeted attack on the Sikh community of J&K—hitting a Gurdwara in Poonch and striking Sikh community members who came under attack. Three individuals were killed in the attacks… A total of 16 civilians have been killed in Poonch, and several others have been injured.”
In a fresh instance of cross-border violence, another Gurdwara was hit during Pakistan’s post-midnight shelling in a border village of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), on Friday (9 May). The unprovoked firing involved mortars and heavy-caliber artillery, causing damage to the boundary wall of the Dera Sant Pura Nangali Sahib Gurdwara, as reported by ANI.
A local resident described the situation, saying, “At around 1 am, there was a lot of shelling here. There was no damage to the Gurdwara Sahib and the medical dispensary, but several houses and cars sustained damage.”
Earlier, during Pakistan’s cross-border firing on Wednesday evening in Poonch district, another Gurdwara was also damaged. The President of the Poonch Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee stated, “A shell hit one corner of our Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, damaging one door and shattering a few glass panes.”
False Accusations by Pakistan
Commenting on the aftermath, Misri pointed out the unusual practice of state funerals being held for those killed after the operation. “It’s also odd that funerals of civilians are being carried out with coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honours are being accorded. The individuals eliminated at these facilities were terrorists. Giving state funerals to terrorists may be a practice in Pakistan, but it doesn’t seem to make much sense to us,” he remarked.
In a targeted strike, Pakistan shelled the Aap Shambhu Temple in Jammu, damaging parts of the site. The incident has been linked to Pakistan’s targeted attacks following India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to Jammu Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), projectile fragments were retrieved from the site, and no casualties were reported.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri categorically dismissed Pakistan’s claim that India had targeted religious sites, stating, “These claims are completely false again. Pakistan is misusing religious sites to radicalise and indoctrinate terrorists.” He pointed out that Pakistani shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) has destroyed a Gurdwara and killed several Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch. “Yesterday, Pakistan launched targeted attacks on Sikhs, hitting a Gurdwara in Poonch, in which three people were killed,” Misri said. In total, the shelling from Pakistan has caused 16 deaths and injured 59 people.
On the other hand, the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district was shut on May 7 after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and has been closed since then.
Operation Sindoor: A Controlled Response
India’s military action, Operation Sindoor, was described as non-escalatory, precise, controlled, and measured. The operation targeted terror bases at nine locations within Pakistan and PoK without escalating the conflict further. Misri clarified, “Pakistan escalated on April 22; we are only responding to escalation. If further escalation occurs, the response will be in the appropriate domain.”
Pakistan’s Attempts to Create a Hindu-Sikh Divide
Pakistan has a long-standing strategy of spreading false propaganda to create divisions between Hindu and Sikh communities in India. In recent developments, Pakistan accused India of targeting religious sites, including the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, during the retaliatory Operation Sindoor. However, these claims were strongly refuted by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who termed them as “preposterous and outrageous.”
Misri emphasised that the targeted strikes carried out by India were focused solely on terrorist infrastructure and not on any civilian or religious sites. He stated that the Pakistani military’s strategy involves not just targeting religious sites but also falsely blaming India for such incidents, with the objective of inciting communal discord. He also noted that in the recent cross-border firing, Pakistan damaged Gurdwaras in Poonch, killing Sikh civilians and injuring several others.
Further, Misri stated that Pakistan’s attempt to claim victimhood was exposed when it became clear that state funerals were being held for individuals killed in Operation Sindoor, with their coffins wrapped in the national flag, indicating that these so-called civilians were actually terrorists. Misri remarked, “Giving state funerals to terrorists may be a practice in Pakistan, but it doesn’t seem to make much sense to us.”
Historical Context: Sikh Resistance to Islamist Oppression
Sikhism has a profound history rooted in resisting oppression, particularly from Islamist rulers during the Mughal period. This resistance was not just a reaction to political dominance but was fundamentally about preserving the dignity of faith and community. The Sikh Gurus stood firmly against forced religious conversions and defended the rights of their followers and others who were oppressed.
Guru Arjan: The First Martyr
Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, is remembered as the first martyr of the faith. His refusal to convert to Islam led to his execution by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1606. Guru Arjan’s sacrifice marked a turning point, teaching the Sikh community to uphold their beliefs despite facing brutal persecution. His death also laid the foundation for Sikhs to take up arms in defense of their faith.
Guru Tegh Bahadur: Protector of Religious Freedom
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, stood as a guardian of religious freedom when Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb initiated a campaign of forced conversions. Guru Tegh Bahadur was publicly executed in Delhi for defending the rights of Hindus to practice their religion. His martyrdom became a symbol of resistance against tyranny and solidified the Sikh resolve to combat oppression.
Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, transformed the Sikh community into a martial force to defend against Mughal atrocities. In 1699, he established the Khalsa, a collective of warrior-saints committed to upholding justice and righteousness. The Khalsa embodied the spirit of resistance, combining spirituality with the readiness to fight against injustice. Guru Gobind Singh led his followers in several battles, maintaining their spirit and strength despite overwhelming odds.
The Char Sahibzade: Refusing Conversion
The Char Sahibzade (Four Sons of Guru Gobind Singh) are revered for their immense courage and sacrifice. Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh were martyred during the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704, where they fought valiantly against overwhelming Mughal forces, displaying unwavering bravery. On the other hand, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh were subjected to a brutal fate when they were bricked alive by the Mughal governor Wazir Khan at Sirhind. Their martyrdom came as a result of their refusal to convert to Islam, symbolising an unwavering commitment to their faith and an unshakeable resolve to stand by the principles of Sikhism. Their sacrifice continues to inspire generations, representing the ultimate blend of spiritual strength and resistance against oppression.
Khalsa Panth: Protect the innocent from radical islamic persecution
The formation of the Khalsa was a declaration that Sikhs would no longer endure subjugation. Members of the Khalsa were baptized and took on the five Ks (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera, and Kirpan) as symbols of their faith and martial responsibility. This transformation marked a paradigm shift from passive resistance to active defense against tyranny.
The sacrifices made by these Gurus set the foundation for Sikh identity as resilient and courageous, willing to sacrifice for justice and faith. The community’s resistance to Islamist oppression remains a central theme in Sikh history and continues to inspire Sikhs globally. Pakistan’s recent targeting of Gurdwaras and Sikh areas is reminiscent of the historical oppression faced by the Sikh community and highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting minority rights in conflict zones.
Modern-Day Targeting of Sikh Sites
The recent targeting of Sikh areas by Pakistan is a stark reminder of historical persecution. The attack on Gurdwaras and Sikh settlements reflects Pakistan’s ongoing attempts to intimidate minorities while simultaneously blaming India for incidents targeting religious sites.
Pakistan’s attempts to target Sikh-majority areas and Gurdwaras have been met with stern responses from India. The Indian government has made it clear that its military actions are solely against terror infrastructure, while Pakistan’s attacks on civilians and places of worship reveal a strategy aimed at inciting communal discord. As the situation unfolds, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens and preserving communal harmony.
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