A century-old Sikh shrine, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, located in Shillong’s Punjabi Lane (Them Lew Mawlong), is at the centre of a dispute between the Sikh community and the Meghalaya Government. The shrine, which is of great historical importance, is facing the threat of demolition due to the government’s urban beautification and development project.
Punjabi Lane, also known as Harijan Colony, is home to around 340 families, predominantly Sikhs, with a minority of Hindus and Christians. The area is historically tied to the Sikh community, whose ancestors were brought to Shillong by the British as workers. The lane houses not only the gurdwara but also a Hindu temple and a church, all of which are integral to the local community.