To:
Honorable Chief Minister of Sikkim
Gangtok, Sikkim – 737101

 

 

 

 

 

Gurudongmar Sahib in North Sikkim holds profound spiritual and historical significance for the Sikh community. Historical records, eyewitness accounts, and scholarly publications affirm that Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this sacred region during his early 16th-century travels to Tibet, blessing the area near the Gurudongmar Lake and spreading his timeless message of devotion to One God, equality, and service to humanity.

 

 

 

In recognition of this, a Gurdwara was established at Gurudongmar in the late 20th century, with active support from Sikh soldiers of the Indian Army. The site featured a Nishan Sahib and the placement of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, symbolizing its sanctity. A foundation stone laid by Brigadier Charanjit Singh on 6th September 1997 further cemented the Gurdwara’s identity and importance for the Sikh community.

However, in recent years, the Gurdwara was forcibly converted into a Buddhist monastery, with Sikh symbols such as the Nishan Sahib removed and the Guru Granth Sahib displaced. Buddhist idols and monastic structures replaced the original Sikh worship space, erasing the historical and religious identity of the site without any prior consultation with the Sikh community. While Sikhs have always respected other religions establishing their places of worship, the replacement of a historically Sikh site with a monastery is a clear injustice and a disregard for the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit.

Both the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) have made sincere attempts to negotiate with the authorities for the restoration of Gurudongmar Sahib as a Gurdwara. Despite repeated efforts and dialogues, there has been no positive response or resolution to date.

Therefore, we respectfully urge the Government of India, the Government of Sikkim, and the Indian Army to:

 

1. Recognize and restore Gurudongmar Sahib as a historic Sikh religious site.

2. Reinstall the Nishan Sahib at its original place.

3. Return and properly enshrine the Guru Granth Sahib Ji within the Gurdwara.

4. Remove the monastic structures from the Gurdwara complex and allow Buddhist worship in a nearby separate location.

5. Ensure future changes involve consultation with Sikh representatives familiar with the site's history.

 

This petition is made with utmost respect for all religions and faiths and in the spirit of peace and harmony. We seek the restoration of the sacred heritage of Gurudongmar Sahib, preserving the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji for generations to come.

We are aware that a previous petition regarding the restoration of Gurudongmar Sahib was dismissed by the Sikkim High Court. However, this does not diminish the historical and spiritual significance of the site, nor the heartfelt sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide. We firmly believe that preserving the sacred legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit and maintaining the sanctity of Gurudongmar Sahib is a cause that transcends legal hurdles. We therefore appeal once again for the restoration of the Gurdwara, with due respect to all communities involved, and urge the authorities to consider this petition with compassion and fairness. Public support and awareness remain crucial in ensuring that this revered site is honored as it rightfully deserves.