Pakistani Sikh parents demand separate Gurumukhi school for their kids

Lahore, Jan. 23 (ANI): A recent newspaper survey in Pakistan has revealed that over 25 lakh Sikh school children are not being taught their religious language, Gurmukhi.

The Sikh families complained that there were only three schools in Pakistan where Gurumukhi was being taught. However, Muslim students were being taught Arabic in schools to help them read the holy Quran, the Daily Times reports.

According to government statistics, out of the three Gurumukhi schools in Pakistan, one is situated in Nankana Sahib and two are in Peshawar.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (PSGPC) have established the school at Nankana where Sikh children are taught Gurmukhi as a separate subject from their holy book, Guru Granth Sahib.

The word Gurmukhi means "from the mouth of the Guru." The traditional scholars believe that the scriptures were first uttered by the Gurus before they were scribed, hence, came the term 'Gurmukhi'.

The first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Saheb devised the Gurmukhi alphabet in 16th century.

Sikh parents demanded that the government to establish a separate institution for Sikh children in Lahore, so they can read the Guru Granth.

PSGPC former president Sardar Bishon Singh said that he would speak with the ETPB chairman in this regard. "Once the ETPB establishes a separate institution, Sikhs will hire Sikh educationists to teach Gurmukhi," Singh said. (ANI)