KARACHI: The Pakistan Sikh Council has demanded that the Sindh government ensure installation of surveillance cameras in their gurdwaras across Sindh.

Speaking to Dawn, the council’s patron-in-chief, Sardar Ramesh Singh, said: “We raised the issue of securing the gurdwaras after reports of defiling of our holy book were reported from some districts in Sindh. But since nothing was done, most of the surveillance cameras were installed by the community on a self-help basis.”

For Sikhs the insecurity began in 2013. An official of the Jai Samadha Ashram in Shikarpur was pictured drawing a symbol on the Guru Granth Sahib, which was considered offensive by the Sikh community. The picture was shared by young Sikhs on Facebook and Twitter.

“The youths on both sides almost clashed violently, which we averted by stepping in,” says Mr Singh. The incident was followed by other similar incidents especially at the temples shared between Hindus and Sikhs.

Elders from the Sikh community, at the time, had declared taking those responsible to court. In October 2016, the Sindh government announced a Rs400 million project for installation of security cameras at temples and churches to ensure security.

Currently there are 22 gurdwaras in Sindh.

The council in particular said that no such step had been taken so far. “Since we are a minority within a minority, we demand that our security be ensured as well. Security cameras would be of real help in dispelling rumours as well as capturing the real culprits making divisions within communities,” added Mr Singh.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017