UNESCO clarifies that enlisting of Sri Harmandir Sahib in World Heritage List was a rumor

LONDON, UK (May 2, 2015)—Director of World Heritage Centre of UNESCO has clarified in written to Sikh Council UK that they haven’t received any application regarding enlisting of Sri Harmandir Sahib and also no discussion over this matter is going on in UNESCO. It is notable that rumors of enlisting Sri Harmandir Sahib in World Heritage list of UNESCO were wandering across Sikh circles from many days.Reference No. 1858 in the list of Ministry of Environment and Forest reveals that Sri Harmandir Sahib was included in the first heritage list released on January 5, 2004. The Sikhs residing abroad took strict notice of this, but SGPC, DSGMC or Shiromani Akali Dal didn’t considered it important to raise issue with UNESCO for the removal of Sri Harmandir Sahib. According to UNESCO, only the Indian Government possesses the right in enlist or delist any place in heritage list.On the other hand General Secretary of Sikh Council UK, S. Gurmail Singh Kandola has expressed deep concern over the rumors wandering in Sikh circles. He said that Sikhs should remain aware of these rumors.