Sikh community condemn removal of Legendary Hari Singh Nalwa's statue in Pakistani city

Erected in 2017 as a sword wielding horseman on the square Siddique-i-Akbar in Haripur  (District named after Hari Singh Nalwa) the statue was allegedly removed by the local authorities, reports ABP News.

The structure with its cemented base cost around Rs 2.5 million, official sources told The Dawn.

They insisted that the monument was removed after religious parties objected to its installation at the intersection named after first caliph of Islam Hazrat Abdul Bakar (RA).

Before and after the statue was removed. Photo credit: Twitter

The sources claimed that the horseman would be installed close to a tank placed half a furlong away in the east on the GT Road.

They said a new monument carrying the name of Islam’s first caliph would be installed at the Siddique-i-Akbar Chowk.

Who is Hari Singh Nalwa?

Hari Singh Nalwa was Commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj, the army of the Sikh Empire.

He is known for his role in the conquests of Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud.

Hari Singh Nalwa was responsible for expanding the frontier of Sikh Empire to beyond the Indus River right up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass. At the time of his death, the western boundary of the empire was Jamrud.

He served as governor of Kashmir, Peshawar and Hazara. He established a mint on behalf of the Sikh Empire to facilitate revenue collection in Kashmir and Peshawar.

Netizens react:

Advocate Dwivendra Dubey tweeted: " Statue of Hari Singh Nalwa is removed from Haripur city KPK Pakistan. This is what we can expect from an absolutely failed state. Indian politicians must learn from them! Here the politicians are busy with Tipu."

TFI Media Founder Atul Mishra said: "Pakistan disrespects Sikhs by removing Hari Singh Nalwa’s statue. But Pakistan funds Khalistanis
Khalistanis sells dreams of Naya Punjab to Sikhs. And many Sikhs get swayed.So, many Sikhs get swayed by an agent of the nation that has removed every vestige of Sikh pride. "

Journalist Muhammad Faheem remarked: "Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa statue removed and square has been named Saddique Akbar Chowk in Haripur Haripur is in the name of this very general who served under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh."

Indian politician  Manjinder Singh Sirsa remarked: " @GovtofPakistan
had promised to restore Hari Singh Nalwa’s Haveli but it wasn’t done! Now, removing of Hari Singh Nalwa statue is yet another way of diminishing Sikh history & legacy from Pak We condemn this in strong words & demand restoration of statue MEAIndia
@PakinIndia."

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka posted, "I strongly condemn the demolition of the statue of Sikh General S. Hari Singh Nalwa Ji by the local authorities from Siddiqui-e-Akbar Chowk in Haripur district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
I urge Indian Govt to take this matter with Pakistan authorities on priority."