Vandalisation of Ranjit Singh statue could impact Pak ties with Sikh community

Maharaja Ranjit Singh's statue has been vandalised in Pakistan amid Islamabad’s rhetoric over Kashmir and what can be described as developments impacting sentiments of Sikh community.

“Two men allegedly vandalised a statue of Punjab’s ruler Raja Ranjit Singh placed near his grave in Shahi Qila, Lahore. The incident occurred on Saturday when the Qila had been routinely opened for visitors,” leading Pak English daily Dawn reported.

Two men were behind the incident and later the attackers were handed over to the police, who registered a case against them on the complaint of Walled City Authority.


Superintendent of Police (SP) Syed Ghazanfar Shah told Dawn that the attackers were motivated and vandalised the statue "on the basis of religious biases".

He said the attackers were of the view that its against their religion to erect a statue in a Muslim country and they would repeat the act if the authorities did not remove it.

The statue of Singh was unveiled at the Lahore Fort, at the Mai Jinda’s Haveli, on June 27 — the warrior's 180th birthday.

The nine feet tall statue, made of cold bronze, showed the regal Sikh emperor sitting on a horse, sword in hand, complete in Sikh attire, according to the Dawn.