Bangladesh gurdwaras poorly maintained: Panel to SGPC

The report says only 4 out of the 35 historical gurdwaras in the neighbouring country have satisfactory management.

MANY GURDWARAS in Bangladesh are poorly maintained and at least 31 historical gurdwaras are under illegal occupation of Hindus.

These are findings of a committee formed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) to study the condition of the gurdwaras in Bangladesh. The committee comprised Rajinder Singh Mehta, Mohan Singh Bhangi, Nirmal Singh Jhola, Satnam Singh Dhanoa and Rup Singh as its members.

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The report, submitted by the committee to the SGPC, says that only four out of the 35 historical gurdwaras in the neighbouring country have satisfactory management. The remaining gurdwaras are under partial or complete illegal possession of the Hindu population.

Many of these gurdwaras visited by the committee were found in poor conditions. With no idea of exact population of Sikhs in Bangladesh, the committee has suggested that SGPC should send routine religious jathas to maintain the gurdwaras, like it sends to Pakistan on special occasions. The committee has also pushed for sending free literature to gurdwaras in danger.

“Hindu families have been living in the gurdwaras. In some gurdwaras, only one priest has been serving and in others there is no priest. These gurdwaras could not be maintained due to the pressure of the Hindu population. Hindus have been living in these gurdwaras. The situation in these gurdwaras is serious,” said SGPC additional secretary Daljit Singh.

The committee also met the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh regarding the poor condition of gurdwaras.

Dhaka University has been constructed on the land of historical Gurdwara Nanakshahi Dhaka, built in the memory of a visit of Guru Nanak and his Muslim disciple Bhai Mardana. The committee has suggested that the Dhaka University should be asked to set up a world religion museum in the name of Guru Nanak Dev.

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The committee also met the Dhaka university officials in this regard.

Captain (retd) Bhag Singh from Kolkata had formed Bangladesh Gurdwara Committee (BGC) after the 1971 war. This committee was funded by the Sikh Mission Calcutta, Takht Patna Sahib in Bihar and SGPC. BGC, however, became defunct after the death of Captain Bhag Singh in 1992.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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