For the past three days, volunteers from both Sikh and Hindu communities have been working tirelessly to rebuild the damaged retaining wall of the Laxmi Narayan temple in Nangal. The wall had collapsed after strong water flow from the dam, creating a serious risk to the temple’s structure and sanctity.
Even as political parties—the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress—argued over the issue, the quiet efforts of Sikh and Hindu volunteers are winning hearts of people. Their work showed Punjab’s deep tradition of communal harmony and shared faith.
“The wall may belong to a temple, but protecting a place of worship is everyone’s duty,” said Satnam Singh, a volunteer.
Dozens of people, young and old, from nearby villages joined in. Some carried stones, others mixing cement, while many brought food and water for the workers.
The voluntary repair effort began soon after the wall collapse triggered political reactions.
Congress leader KP Rana, former Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, quickly visited the site and announced Rs 1.21 crore for the reconstruction through the Congress-controlled Nangal Municipal Council. But before work could start, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, the AAP MLA from Anandpur Sahib, launched a symbolic Kar Seva on September 5. He declared that volunteers would carry out the repairs without delay.
Bains said while volunteers were at the heart of the effort, technical labour had also been hired to handle the complex task. Since the collapse was close to the Nangal lake and involved landslide risks, government funds of Rs 25 lakh were sanctioned from disaster management resources to cover these costs.
Still, beyond the political announcements, it was the Sikh volunteers who stood out. With no banners, slogans, or cameras, the volunteers arrived early, stayed late, and did the toughest work.
Locals were deeply moved. “It’s heartening to see such seva. People from a different faith working to save our temple that the Punjab I know,” said Rajesh Sharma, a shopkeeper in Nangal.
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