AI Generated Summary
- Growing discontent is brewing among Pakistan’s Sikh community as anger mounts against Ramesh Singh Arora, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), for failing to deliver on his promise to reopen the historic Bhai Taru Singh shrine to Sikh devotees.
- More recently, on July 2, Arora attended the 20th anniversary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs and the launch of the “Gurdwara Alliance UK” in London.
- Arora’s growing international presence has drawn criticism, with many accusing him of acting as a representative of Pakistan’s establishment rather than as a true advocate for the Sikh community’s grievances.
Growing discontent is brewing among Pakistan’s Sikh community as anger mounts against Ramesh Singh Arora, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), for failing to deliver on his promise to reopen the historic Bhai Taru Singh shrine to Sikh devotees.
The shrine, located in Lahore, has been inaccessible since a 2001 land dispute, when Muslim radicals claimed that the property belonged to Peer Kaku Shah. Tensions escalated further in 2006 after the shrine’s caretaker claimed to have received a dream from Peer Kaku Shah, instructing him to bar “kafirs” (non-believers) from visiting the site. The site was officially sealed in July 2020, and despite repeated assurances, there has been no progress toward reopening it.
Sikh Leaders Question Arora’s Priorities
Former PSGPC presidents and Sikh community leaders have accused Ramesh Singh Arora of neglecting domestic Sikh concerns in favor of international engagements. When he assumed the PSGPC presidency in March 2024, Arora publicly vowed to unlock the gates of Bhai Taru Singh Gurdwara within one year. However, nearly 16 months later, the promise remains unfulfilled.
Adding to the frustration, Arora was conspicuously absent from key Sikh religious events in Pakistan, including the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, on June 28, 2025. Community members say Arora has shown little engagement with Pakistani Sikhs, instead prioritizing appearances at overseas programs organized by Sikh groups based abroad.
International Engagements Under Scrutiny
Arora’s growing international presence has drawn criticism, with many accusing him of acting as a representative of Pakistan’s establishment rather than as a true advocate for the Sikh community’s grievances.
He attended a dinner in the United States on February 2, hosted by Dr. Jasdip Singh Jesse (Sikhs of America) and Dr. Sajid Tarar (Muslims of America). He also represented Pakistan at Pope Francis’ funeral in Italy in May and addressed Sikh congregations in Milan. More recently, on July 2, Arora attended the 20th anniversary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs and the launch of the “Gurdwara Alliance UK” in London.
Community Outrage Mounts
Many Pakistani Sikhs now openly accuse Arora of being more interested in promoting Pakistan’s narrative of protecting minority rights abroad than addressing real concerns at home.
“The community feels betrayed,” said a senior Sikh leader in Lahore. “Bhai Taru Singh’s shrine is sacred to us, but for years it has been locked away while our so-called representative tours foreign countries, showcasing a false picture of minority harmony in Pakistan.”
As the second anniversary of the shrine’s closure approaches, pressure is mounting on the PSGPC chief to act on his promise. Community leaders are demanding immediate steps to reopen the shrine, warning that continued inaction will only deepen mistrust between Pakistan’s Sikh minority and its leadership.
