Rajya Sabha Member and noted environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has appealed to the Government of India to intervene diplomatically to ensure the protection of historic Sikh shrines located in Iran, expressing serious concern over their safety amid the ongoing conflict in the region.Speaking before departing for India after completing a 13-day visit to the Philippines, Sant Seechewal offered prayers for Sarbat da Bhala (the welfare of all humanity) and voiced deep anguish over the reported attacks and escalating hostilities involving Iran. He said the situation has led to tragic loss of innocent lives, including schoolchildren and civilians, as missiles, drones and bombs continue to strike various locations.The Rajya Sabha member stated that along with civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, the historic Sikh religious sites connected with the travels of Guru Nanak Dev are also under potential threat due to the ongoing bombardment. He noted that the conflict began during the sixth day of his Philippines visit, raising concerns among Sikh communities about the safety of these sacred places.Sant Seechewal urged Narendra Modi to use India’s global diplomatic stature to help ensure the protection of the Sikh shrines associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s fourth Udasi (spiritual journey). He emphasised that these sites symbolise the Sikh principle of Sarbat da Bhala and hold immense historical and spiritual importance for the global Sikh community.Calling for immediate international attention, Sant Seechewal also appealed to the United Nations and world leaders, including heads of the G-20 nations, to intervene and safeguard religious heritage sites that promote peace, harmony and universal brotherhood. He stressed that places linked to Guru Nanak Dev, who preached the message of peace and equality across continents, must be preserved for future generations.Highlighting the historical context, Sant Seechewal pointed out that Guru Nanak Dev visited several Arab and Middle Eastern regions during his fourth and final Udasi. During this journey, the Guru is believed to have stayed in present-day Tehran and later in Zahedan, where significant Sikh historical sites stand today. These places, he said, represent important milestones of the Guru’s travels and spiritual outreach.He also recalled that during the Iraq War, several historical sites linked to Guru Nanak Dev suffered damage, underscoring the vulnerability of religious heritage during armed conflicts.Sant Seechewal further expressed concern that even basic international humanitarian norms appear to be ignored in the current conflict. “Even during wars, certain rules and moral boundaries are traditionally respected,” he said, adding that targeting schools, hospitals and civilian areas cannot be considered bravery but rather an act of cowardice.He concluded by reiterating his appeal for urgent diplomatic efforts and global cooperation to ensure that the sacred sites representing the message of peace and universal welfare preached by Guru Nanak Dev remain safe from destruction.