Second Gurudwara Collapses In Pakistan Within A Month: Baba Bulleh Shah's Legacy Crumbles Due To Neglect

The torrential monsoon rains and the following floods in Pakistan have unfortunately caused another tremendous loss to Sikh history.

This time, the Gurdwara Sahib at Daftu in Punjab province collapsed due to heavy rains.

Sadly, this is the second Sikh shrine to be destroyed by nature's fury and more so because of government neglect this month in Pakistan.

The Gurdwara at Daftu pays homage to Baba Bulleh Shah, a revered sufi poet and reformist from the 17th century who is highly respected by Punjabis on both sides of the border.

It is popularly believed that Bulleh Shah sought refuge in this gurdwara after his life was threatened by a group of Islamic fundamentalists.

Noshaba Shehzad, a researcher based in Lahore, expressed her heartbreak when she visited the site and saw the collapsed portion of the gurdwara.

Shehzad said, “It is saddening for us to see the Sikh history and heritage falling brick by brick in our country. However, since there are thousands of such Sikh historic structures, it wasn’t possible for the government alone to maintain and preserve all of them. Due to the lack of Sikh sangat who could take care of them regularly, weak and old structures are now succumbing to nature’s fury. It is the collective responsibility of the Pakistan government and Sikh community to take care of them”.

According to locals, the collapse was a result of continuous heavy rainfall over several days. The exact date of the collapse is unknown, but it is believed to have occurred a few days ago.

It is unfortunate to witness the continuous destruction of important pieces of Sikh heritage in Pakistan. The collapse of the Gurdwara serves as a reminder of the need for better preservation and proactive protection of historical sites in Pakistan.

According to the book "Sikh Heritage Beyond the Borders" by Dalvir Singh Pannu, Gurdwara Sahib Daftu holds immense historical significance.

It is said that in the 18th century, Baba Bulleh Shah sought refuge at the gurdwara while being chased by a large crowd of offended Muslims from his village in Pandoke.

The mob demanded that the gurdwara management hand him over, but the Sikh protectors stated that Bulleh Shah would always be protected in the house of God, causing the mob to disperse.

Pannu describes the once magnificent structure of the gurdwara, which has sadly deteriorated due to neglect.

He explained that, The gurdwara complex is separated from the street by a brick wall and features an ornate gateway for access. The multilevel building has three archways on the sides, adorned with arched windows that have been partially filled with latticework, wooden doors, or bricks. The roof is topped with a small domed structure, while a black Ganesh Chakar inlay is set in the red brick on the back wall.

Today, the gurdwara stands in a miserable and dilapidated state.

The front of the shrine proudly displays the inscription of Mool Mantar that is the opening verse of the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, "Ik Onkar" along with the gurdwara's name.

Bulleh Shah's poetry and verses have transcended religious boundaries and even today continue to resonate in the hearts of Punjabis on both sides of the border.

His concept of God goes beyond the limitations of religion. He poignantly expressed,

“Chal bulleya chal othe chaliye, jitthey saare anne, naa koi saadi zaat pachane, na koi saanu manney.. Mandir dha de masjid dha de, dha de jo kuj dhehnda, par kise da dil na dhavi, rab dilan vich rehnda”.

(Let's go to a place where everyone is blind and no one recognises our caste. Demolish temples, demolish mosques, and demolish everything you can. But never break someone's heart, for that is where God resides.)

On 10 July, the plight of Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Jahman of Lahore was brought to the attention of heritage researchers in Pakistan. Unfortunately, this historic site has also collapsed due to relentless rains.