LONDON, ENGLAND, September 17, 2004: If Amritsar’s famous Golden Temple becomes a world heritage, Sikhs may lose control of their holiest shrine, warns a British human rights activist. The Golden Temple is being considered for inclusion on a UN list of the world’s most important places which could lead to the holy shrine becoming a world heritage, thereby becoming a Government of India property. Dr. Jasdev Singh Rai says if the move goes ahead, authority for the building will pass into the hands of the Government of India. He says it is a move that millions of Sikhs reject. Dr. Rai plans to legally challenge such a move. “If all else fails then we will go to the courts to ensure that ultimate control of the Golden Temple doesn’t pass to the Indian Government,” Dr. Rai said.
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