The recent desecration of the Gutka Sahib, a revered Sikh holy text, in Perth, Australia earlier this year, by a Pakistani national has shocked not just the Sikh community but has also exposed a troubling pattern of hostility against Sikhs emanating from Pakistan. This disturbing act is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative of persecution and disrespect faced by Sikhs at the hands of Pakistan, both within its borders and abroad.
Khizar Hayat, a 21-year-old Pakistani man, pleaded guilty to the heinous act, which involved desecrating the Gutka Sahib outside the Canning Vale Gurdwara on August 27. Captured on video, the incident shows Hayat throwing the sacred text to the ground, stepping on it, tearing its pages, and even flushing portions down a toilet before setting parts on fire. He later posted videos of his actions on TikTok, triggering widespread outrage and grief in the Sikh community. The Australian Federal Government has since canceled his visa, and Hayat faces deportation, but the scars left by this reprehensible act linger.
A Painful Reminder of Persecution
This incident is deeply distressing for the Sikh community, not only because of its immediate impact but also because it serves as a stark reminder of the systematic targeting of Sikhs in Pakistan. Over the decades, Sikhs in Pakistan have faced forced conversions, desecration of their religious sites, and restrictions on practicing their faith. The community, once thriving, has dwindled significantly due to harassment and persecution.
Pakistan’s troubling history of maltreatment extends beyond its borders, as the country’s influence often manifests in actions like Hayat’s, which are seen as an extension of deep-seated intolerance. Such incidents reveal a consistent pattern of disrespect for Sikhism, perpetuated through acts that target the very core of Sikh spirituality.
Sikh Anguish in Australia
In Australia, the Sikh community was left outraged and anguished. The Gutka Sahib is regarded as a living Guru by Sikhs, embodying the divine teachings of Sikhism and serving as a guide to spiritual and ethical living. Its desecration strikes at the heart of Sikh beliefs, making this act not just an affront to a religious text but an attack on the entire Sikh way of life.
“This incident is a direct attack on Australia’s multicultural values,” said Maninderjeet Singh, a spokesperson for the Sikh community in Australia. The act prompted protests, mourning marches, and rallies across the nation, with calls for stronger sacrilege laws to protect religious harmony and prevent such hateful acts in the future.
Sikh community leaders, backed by religious groups such as the Sikh Council of Western Australia, have condemned the act as “un-Australian” and urged the government to enact stricter legal protections for all faiths. The desecration has ignited a broader conversation about Australia’s commitment to upholding its multicultural ethos and protecting its diverse communities from hate-fueled actions.
A Broader Pattern of Targeting Sikhs
Hayat’s actions are a grim echo of Pakistan’s domestic and international record on Sikh issues. Within Pakistan, Sikh holy sites like Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib, while significant, have often been overshadowed by ongoing reports of neglect and sacrilege. Cases of forced conversions and kidnappings of Sikh women are alarmingly frequent. Such incidents paint a bleak picture of the challenges faced by the Sikh minority in Pakistan and highlight the lack of respect for religious diversity in the country.
For Sikhs in Australia, Hayat’s crime is more than an isolated act of hate—it is perceived as a continuation of Pakistan’s historical disregard for Sikh sanctities. This global pattern of intolerance, whether through direct actions or the influence of extremist ideologies, undermines the efforts of Sikhs worldwide to practice their faith freely and with dignity.
Strengthening Protections Against Religious Hatred
This incident underscores the urgent need for governments, both in Australia and globally, to take firm action against sacrilegious acts. It calls for stricter laws to address religious hatred and uphold the principles of tolerance and respect in multicultural societies. The Sikh community’s call for stronger legal protections resonates with other faith groups who face similar challenges, emphasizing the need for collective action.
As Khizar Hayat awaits deportation, the Sikh community hopes this case serves as a wake-up call for authorities. It is a reminder that acts of religious hatred not only harm the immediate victims but also threaten the very fabric of multicultural harmony. For Sikhs, the struggle against persecution is not new, but they remain resolute in their commitment to justice and peace.
The desecration of the Gutka Sahib in Perth is a somber reminder that the battle for religious respect and equality is far from over. It is a call to action for governments and communities to ensure that such acts of hatred have no place in the world, reaffirming the commitment to protect the sanctity of all faiths.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
