16/07/2026
A Respectful Public Appeal Regarding the Bārmatipanth Sampradaya, Our Sacred Dhāms, and the India-Pakistan Pilgrimage
As a member of the Maheshvari Meghwar community and President of the Maheshwary Foundation Trust, Rajkot, I wish to offer a humble and constructive suggestion regarding the proposed registration of the Bārmatipanth Sampradaya and the long-term vision of facilitating pilgrimage from India to our sacred Dhāms in Pakistan.
In my respectful opinion, four distinct issues should be clearly separated before any major decision is taken:
1. The religious identity of the Bārmatipanth Sampradaya.
2. The legal registration of a Trust, Society, or Organization.
3. The ownership and management of our sacred Dhāms.
4. The official recognition and facilitation of India-Pakistan religious pilgrimage.
These are separate legal and administrative matters and should not be treated as one.
I also respectfully submit that terminology associated with the Waqf system should not be applied to our Hindu Bārmatipanth Sampradaya or our sacred Dhāms. The Waqf framework is a legal institution relating to Islamic religious endowments and is not applicable to our religious tradition. Using technically incorrect legal terminology may create avoidable complications in future representations before government authorities.
It is equally important to distinguish between a religious tradition and a legally registered institution. The Bārmatipanth Sampradaya represents our spiritual heritage, whereas a Trust, Society, or Committee is a legal entity established under law. Where Trusts and Committees already exist for the administration of our sacred Dhāms, our collective efforts should focus on strengthening those institutions rather than creating unnecessary parallel structures.
It is also worth noting that the historical and religious significance of our Maheshvari Meghwar Saints and sacred Dhāms has already been documented in the Government of Sindh publication "Shrines of the Maheshvari Meghwar Saints in Sindh," authored by Dr. Mohan Dev Raj Thontya, edited by Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, and published by the Sindh Archives, Government of Sindh, in March 2012. This demonstrates that our sacred heritage already enjoys documented historical recognition.
If our true objective is to enable devotees from India to undertake pilgrimage to the sacred Dhāms of Shri Matangdev and other revered sites in Pakistan, then the appropriate path is through official pilgrimage recognition, visa facilitation, and institutional coordination between the concerned authorities of both countries-not through the legal registration of the Sampradaya itself.
I would also respectfully urge caution regarding matters involving the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). The inclusion of a shrine within a pilgrimage framework is not the same as bringing its ownership or management under any statutory property regime. Before signing, submitting, or consenting to any document concerning the ownership, management, or legal status of our sacred Dhāms, it would be prudent to obtain an independent written opinion from a qualified legal expert specializing in Pakistani property and trust law.
Our objective should remain clear:
To preserve the ownership, autonomy, and sanctity of our sacred Dhāms while establishing a lawful, safe, and officially recognized pilgrimage route for devotees travelling from India.
This is not merely a question of organizing a pilgrimage. It concerns the preservation of our sacred heritage, our religious identity, and the responsibility we owe to future generations.
With utmost respect, I appeal to all concerned to ensure that every legal and administrative decision is taken only after comprehensive study, thoughtful consultation, and independent legal advice.
Let us move forward with unity, wisdom, and a long-term vision for the protection of our sacred legacy.
Sunil Dev
President
Maheshwary Foundation Trust
Rajkot, Gujarat,
Bhārat.
