On Friday, videos of outraged mob protesting and pelting stones at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib made rounds on social media insinuating communal tensions between Muslim and Sikh communities in the city.
A group of protestors was led by the brother of a man named Hassan, who was accused of kidnapping and marrying a Sikh girl after forced conversion to Islam. The agitated men threatened to destroy Gurdwara and built a mosque at the site. Resultantly, a few Sikh worshippers were stranded in Gurdwara. However, after intervention from the provincial authorities, the protestors were dispersed after negotiations.
How shameless do you have to be to use the incident of an angry mob pelting stones on #NankanaSahib to push your agenda of supporting CAA?!
What happened there is disheartening. At least condemn the incident for humanitarian reasons before politicising it.
JAHIL.
— Prabhjyot Kaur (@PrabhjyotKaurr) January 3, 2020
This man should be booked for inciting violence against the Sikh minority and jailed as soon as possible. @OFFICIALDPRPP #NankanaSahib https://t.co/qp5QIUjDty
— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) January 3, 2020
I strongly condemn the incidents of stone pelting at Gurudwara #NankanaSahib today. I urge #Pakistan government to immediately make arrangements for protection of the shrine and the safety of pilgrims.
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) January 3, 2020
At a time when India is on the hot seat of criticism for CAB, they seized the opportunity to defame Pakistan with the viral videos, propagating that Hindu and Sikh minorities are regularly hounded in Pakistan. Adding that Pakistan is failing to protect and grant equal rights to its minorities.
An impression was built on Indian Twitter that the safety and security of minorities are clouded by Islamic jihadists in Pakistan.
They open Kartarpur corridor but let this happen to sikhs in #NankanaSahib https://t.co/bt4zP72ES9
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) January 3, 2020
Disturbing visuals from the revered #NankanaSahib Gurudwara. This after a reprehensible act of forcible abduction & conversion of a Sikh girl was protested. Urge @capt_amarinder & @PMOIndia to ensure rescue & safety of girl & her family and adequate security of the Holy Shrine. pic.twitter.com/RStxszzSiN
— Raj Babbar (@RajBabbarMP) January 3, 2020
Very disturbing. Wahey Guru Pakistan vich base sab Sikhan nu salamat rakheny 🙏
Please tag me in all updates. I am trying to connect with my Sikh friends in Pakistan.#NankanaSahib pic.twitter.com/lXQLuCv6sk
— Navdeep Singh (@Navdeep_UK) January 3, 2020
Snarky remarks against Pakistan from verified accounts poured in on Indian Twitter, denigrating Pakistan as a ‘jihadist’ and ‘extremist’ country on Indian Twitter. The impression of massive bloodshed and assault was stirred by Indian critics on Twitter. The Indian critics slammed that even Kartarpur Corridor was a ploy by Pakistan to entice the Khalistan supporters and damage India’s unity.
The Indian social media users asserted that the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib incident exposed Pakistan’s bigotry for its religious minorities. Hence, Sikh Community must not be manipulated by Pakistan’s sham friendliness for them under the garb of Kartarpur Corridor.
Read more: Vandalism of Nankana Sahib Gurdwara: What happened and why?
Some even condoned the divisive Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled by BJP, backing the decision of BJP to expel Muslims from India through CAB. Even Pakistani social users joined the protest and demanded immediate action to apprehend the offenders who attacked the place of worship, Gurudwara.
They called out the law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of the Sikh families in the city and restore calm in Nankana Sahib and punish the culprits to thwart actions that slander Pakistan globally.
Meanwhile, it is noteworthy to mention that, in November last year Pakistan inaugurated Kartarpur Corridor for the Sikh Community to facilitate the Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan annually as a peace gesture.
Utterly shameful, disgraceful act by a mob in Pakistan which targeted the holy #NankanaSahib :the great Nanak and the values of Sikhism are an enduring symbol of harmony. this cycle of hate must be broken.. those responsible must be prosecuted by Govt of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 4, 2020
Very tense in #NankanaSahib after police arrested(?) father & another relative of Mohammad Hassan as per #JagjjtKaur's cousin. Gurduara Sahib attacked, claims being made no Sikh will be left & city's name will be changed. @ImranKhanPTI @TeamSarwar @parbhandak @NankanaPolice pic.twitter.com/XeygYmlhm6
— Harinder Singh | ਹਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@1Force) January 3, 2020
The Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, close to the Pakistan-India border, is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. The Gurudwara is 4km (2.5 miles) from the border with India. Kartarpur Corridor provides a visa-free passage between Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Narowal and Dera Baba Nanak shrine, Gurdaspur India.
Read more: Vandalism at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara: Can India use this against Pakistan?
Britain’s two leading Sikh Communities have awarded Prime Minister Imran Khan with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, during a ceremony held to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji-the founder of Sikhism.
The award recognized PM Khan’s remarkable initiative of ‘Kartarpur Corridor’, giving access to the Sikh community to visit their sacred sites in Pakistan primarily the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartapur, the second most sacred site for Sikh community.
Muslims in Pakistan pelt stones at the #NankanaSahib Gurdwara. #Shame @ImranKhanPTI !!! there are Sikh devotees inside the Gurdwara. @rsrobin1 with details 👇 https://t.co/YRMgKQFzOP
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) January 3, 2020
I'm told the situation at #NankanaSahib has now stabilised. Mob was made to disperse.
However if a local incident can snowball into such a major threat, it is clear that more needs to be done to secure the Sikh minority and one of their holiest places.
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) January 3, 2020
'We will not let any Sikh live in #NankanaSahib & will change its names to Ghulam-e-Mustafra', local Muslim protester.
..& then #Pakistan wants Sikh brothers to stand with them to form Khalistan.Irony just died a thousand deaths.@rsrobin1 @AdityaRajKaulpic.twitter.com/kEBIJD5RrP
— Sajeda Akhtar (@Sajeda_Akhtar) January 3, 2020
Sikh Community upon their arrival in Pakistan expressed gratitude to PM Khan, praised him for acknowledging their 72-years old imploration of allowing them to visit Kartarpur.
People from #Sikh community are stuck inside the Gurdwara and many are in their homes fearing mob attacks #NankanaSahib – where is the writ of the government???? https://t.co/m5D91sAjZG
— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 3, 2020
#NankanaSahib, the birth place of Shri Guru Nanik Dev ji, is under attack by angry Muslim mob. They are demanding to change the name of town to Ghulam.e.Mustafa.#Minorities, be you are a #Hindu, #Christian or #Sikh can never claim we are safe and secure here in #Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/m9JeNCqy1W
— Kapil Dev (@KDSindhi) January 3, 2020
Really sad about #NankanaSahib. What kind of people would encircle, threaten, beat and terrify a small minority in this manner…
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) January 4, 2020
Earlier, reports emerged on social media that various global Sikh communities have called for a Nobel Peace Prize for PM Khan.
PM Imran Khan had promised the Sikh community to complete the project before the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Khan had declared the Sikh community would be able to enter Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor this year, which incidentally is also the shortest route to their holy sites.
What happened in #NankanaSahib, Pakistan explains the farce of a relationship that Khalistanis and Muslims share. It should work as an eye-opener for Sikhs living in India as Sikhism is best protected and respected only in India cuz Hindus are tolerant. Muslims will only use you.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) January 3, 2020
Terror Attack
Jihadi mob in Pakistan attacked holy Gurudwara #NankanaSahib and shouted “We will not let any Sikh live here & will change its names to Ghulam-e-Mustafra.
If someone still doubts-Why CAA needed ? Tell them
Your stepfather Pakistan is killing minorities everyday ! pic.twitter.com/vfWgEBnAGS— Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) January 3, 2020
Unacceptable, unforgivable act of vandalism at the revered #NankanaSahib Gurudwara in Pakistan, most revered of shrines..swiftest visible action is called for. https://t.co/pLVZ6yVd0y
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) January 4, 2020
