Lok Sabha Question No. 522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Pilgrimage Sites
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.522 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## PILGRIMAGE SITES

522. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has identified pilgrimage sites and temples in other countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, country-wise;
- (c) the condition of pilgrimage sites and temples in these countries; and
- (d) the steps taken or likely to be taken to ensure pilgrimage to these places by the pilgrims?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) The Government has identified 15 religious shrines in Pakistan for   pilgrimage   under   the   1974   Protocol   on   Visits   to   Religious   Shrines between India and Pakistan. The details of these shrines are attached at Annexure. These 15 pilgrimage sites in Pakistan are maintained by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Government of Pakistan. The Government of   India,   through   its   High   Commission   in   Pakistan,   coordinates   with Pakistan authorities to ensure smooth pilgrimage of Indian pilgrims to these   religious   shrines   in   Pakistan.   These   pilgrimage   sites   are   in   a functional state.

The Government has come across reports regarding vandalism and desecration   of   places   of   religious   worship   belonging   to   the   minority communities in Pakistan. Recently, following the reports of vandalism and desecration of Mata Rani Bhatiyani Temple in Sindh on 26 January 2020, the holy   Gurudwara   at   Sri   Nankana   Sahib   on   3   January   2020   and   a Gandhara style Buddha statue in Mardan on 18 July 2020, the Government strongly condemned these reprehensible acts and called upon Pakistan to ensure   safety,   security   and   welfare   of   the   members   of   the   minority communities   in   Pakistan,   including   their   places   of   worship,   and   take immediate measures to expeditiously bring the perpetrators to justice.

There are many temples in Bangladesh which are also visited by pilgrims from India. Some of these places are centuries old and have been declared preserved heritage/archaeological sites by the Government of Bangladesh. The famous Dhakeshwari temple has been declared as the national temple of Bangladesh.

***

The religious  shrines   identified   under   1974   Protocol   on   Visits   to Religious Shrines between India and Pakistan in Pakistan are:

1. Shadani Darbar in Hyat Pitafi, Ghotki, Sindh
2. Katasraj Dham in Chakwal, Punjab
3. Gurudwaras of Nankana Sahib, Punjab
4. Gurudwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal, Attock, Punjab
5. Samadhi of Marahaja Ranjit Singh Ji, Lahore, Punjab
6. Gurudwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, Punjab
7. Gurudwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, Punjab
8. Gurudwara Deewan Khana, Lahore, Punjab
9. Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj, Singhanian, Lahore, Punjab
10. Gurudwara Bhai Tara Singh, Lahore, Punjab
11. Gurudwara of Sixth Guru, Mozang, Lahore, Punjab
12. Birth place of Guru Ram Das, Lahore, Punjab
13. Gurudwara Cheveen Padshahi, Mozang, Lahore, Punjab
14. Shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh, Lahore, Punjab
15. Sadhu Bela, Khanpur and Mirpur Mathelo, Sindh

***