AMRITSAR: The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, 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, Kattari Chandu, associated with the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.In his letter, addressed to the Punjab Chief Minister, copied to Provincial Minister and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Ramesh Singh Arora, the Jathedar asked that the Pakistan Punjab Government to immediately conduct an inquiry into the present status of Lal Khooh, Kattari Chandu in Lahore.“If any construction or alteration work is underway at the site, stop it immediately until the inquiry is completed”, writes Giani Gargajj.He also asked to get the historical and heritage significance of the site examined by experts from the Walled City of Lahore Authority, Archaeology Department and other concerned departments and suggested to include Sikh history experts and representatives of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in the inquiry process.If the historical significance of the site is established, initiate necessary action to have it legally protected as a heritage site. He suggested to conduct 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, Kattari Chandu, in Lahore’s Walled City had been brought to the attention of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by the Sikh sangat. He said there are concerns regarding construction-related activity around the site, which was a matter of serious concern for Sikhs.
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However, rather than relying on assumptions, he called for an official fact-finding inquiry into the matter.At the same time, he clarified that the purpose of the communication was not to level allegations against any government, institution or individual, but to draw attention to Lahore’s shared historical heritage and the important chapters of Sikh history associated with the city.