Historic gurdwara in Shillong faces demolition amidst development plan

A century-old Sikh shrine, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, located in Shillong’s Punjabi Lane (Them Lew Mawlong), is at the centre of a dispute between the Sikh community and the Meghalaya Government. The shrine, which is of great historical importance, is facing the threat of demolition due to the government’s urban beautification and development project.

Punjabi Lane, also known as Harijan Colony, is home to around 340 families, predominantly Sikhs, with a minority of Hindus and Christians. The area is historically tied to the Sikh community, whose ancestors were brought to Shillong by the British as workers. The lane houses not only the gurdwara but also a Hindu temple and a church, all of which are integral to the local community.

The dispute began when the Meghalaya Government proposed relocating the residents of Punjabi Lane as part of its urban development efforts. However, the residents, represented by the Harijan Panchayat, which holds the land title dating back to 1863, have resisted these plans. The Sikh community views the gurdwara, established in 1865 in honour of Guru Nanak’s visit, as an essential part of their religious and cultural identity.

The legal battle over the relocation has been ongoing since 2019, when the Meghalaya High Court ordered a status quo on the issue. Gurjit Singh, president of the gurdwara committee, highlighted that the court had allowed the government to proceed with the plan only if the land title was in the government’s name, which is not the case. He further emphasised the importance of the shrine to the Sikh community and the ongoing efforts to protect it.

In a recent development, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) stepped in to support the community’s efforts to prevent its demolition. A delegation led by SGPC general secretary Rajinder Singh Mehta met Meghalaya’s Chief Secretary, Donald Phillips Wahlang, to discuss the issue. The SGPC submitted a memorandum urging the government to reconsider its demolition plans, taking into account the historical significance of the shrine and the sentiments of the local Sikh population.

The gurdwara had undergone renovation in 2015, thanks to the efforts of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, with financial support of around Rs 45 lakh from the SGPC. Despite these efforts to preserve the shrine, the threat of demolition looms large as the Meghalaya Government pushes forward with its urban redevelopment plans.

The situation remains unresolved as the Sikh community continues to seek a compromise that protects both their homes and their religious heritage. The case is currently sub judice, and the fate of the historic Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar and the Punjabi Lane residents hangs in the balance.