The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has refuted social media claims about the demolition of Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Sheikhupura, stating that the historic gurdwara remains undamaged. In a clarification issued on Friday, the board explained that the demolition activity was confined to two shops adjacent to the inactive gurdwara, where tenants began tearing down structures without prior ETPB approval.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
According to the board, district officials intervened on June 24 upon receiving information about the unauthorized work. They halted the demolition, sealed the site, and initiated legal proceedings against those responsible. The ETPB emphasized that the original historic gurdwara was fully protected and unaffected.
Although the Municipal Committee Sheikhupura had declared the shops structurally unsafe, the board noted that any repair, alteration, or demolition of properties under its control requires prior approval—which the tenants had not obtained.
Legal Actions and Community Response
The ETPB issued show-cause notices to the tenants, canceled their tenancy, and took back possession of the property. A Sikh community delegation led by Sardar Palwinder Singh visited the site on June 26 and expressed satisfaction with the board's prompt action. Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora also inspected the site with district administration officials on June 30.
The board reiterated its commitment to preserving religious heritage and vowed strict legal action against any unauthorized demolition, alteration, or encroachment on properties under its custody.
