Belgium gurdwara closed for 'harbouring' illegal migrants
Thursday, 23/10/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141023/punjab.htm#18
London : A gurdwara in Belgium would be shut for a month for allegedly harbouring 11 illegal Indian immigrants, including a minor, the authorities said while ordering their deportation. During a recent police raid, 11 illegal immigrants were found in the cellars of an empty building in the town of Vilvoorde.
"This is the same hiding place used by traffickers who were convicted last year. The gurdwara provided food and accommodation to illegal migrants during the daytime," said Hans Bonte, Mayor of Vilvoorde.
On October 13, Bonte had a meeting with representatives of the shrine. He asked them to formulate constructive proposals aimed at tackling the problem of the illegal immigrants.
"They told me they were aware of the situation, but couldn't do anything about it. Meanwhile I have not heard anything," Bonte said.
The Mayor also accused the judicial authorities of failing to address the problem. The immigrants detained on October 11 were released the same day and ordered to leave the country.
Representatives of the gurdwara say that they offered "langar" to anybody who came there without demanding their identity papers.
Amritsar: The SGPC has taken strong exception to the move to shut a gurdwara in Belgium on the premise that it was harbouring illegal Indian immigrants. In a release issued here on Wednesday, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said the Belgium government should beef up vigil along its borders instead of closing down the gurdwara. He said the doors of gurdwaras were always open for those having faith in it and anybody could visit it to pay obeisance.
He said it was not for the gurdwara management committee to check travel documents of the pilgrims visiting it. As far as langar was concerned, he said it was the tradition started by the Sikh gurus and any pilgrim visiting the gurdwara could partake of it. He urged the Belgium government to reopen the gurdwara in view of the sentiments of the Sikh community.
SGPC flays action
The Belgium government should strengthen vigil along its borders instead of closing down the gurdwara. It is not for the gurdwara management committee to check travel documents of the pilgrims.-Avtar Singh Makkar, sgpc president
