SIKHS IN LAHORE BARRED FROM CELEBRATING FESTIVAL

The Sikh community in the eastern city of Lahore has been barred from organising a religious function at a disputed gurdwara after a religious group persuaded the authorities that celebrating the Muslim holy day of Shab-e-Barat was more important than the Sikh festival.

The musical equipment of the Sikhs was thrown out and their entry into the gurdwara barred due to the efforts of the Dawat-e-Islami, a Barelvi proselytising group. The police was deployed outside the gurdwara to prevent the Sikhs from holding a religious function until after the end of Shab-e-Barat, which falls tomorrow. Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore was built in memory of a Sikh saint who was executed in 1745 on the orders of the Mughal Governor of Punjab, Zakaria Khan.

Every July, Sikhs have held a religious ceremony to commemorate his sacrifice. Though the gudwara was taken over by the Evacuee Trust Property Board after Partition, Sikhs were allowed to continue using it with few restrictions. Four years ago, the Dawat-e-Islami claimed the gurdwara was located on the site of the grave of a 15th century Muslim saint, Pir Shah Kaku. The group claimed Kaku was the grandson of Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, an "implausible” claim since Ganjshakar died in 1280 while Kaku died almost 200 years later in 1477, the daily reported.
SRC.http://www.punjabmailonline.com/Punjab%20News_news2.aspx#51599