• Source:JND
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About 2,100 Indian Sikh pilgrims entered Pakistan via the Wagah border on Tuesday to attend events related to the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, but a score of Hindus were reportedly barred from entering the country.

According to media reports, at least 14 Indian Hindus were barred  and where reportedly told by Pakistani immigration officials, 'you are Hindu… you can't go with Sikh devotees'.

Why are Indians visiting Pakistan?

Every year, thousands of Indian devotees cross the border to attend events related to the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. This year, the Pakistan government had issued 2,150 visas to Indian Sikhs to attend the birth anniversary of the Sikh guru. This marked the first people-to-people contact between the two countries after the four-day conflict in May.

ETPB spokesperson Ghulam Mohyuddin told PTI that some 2,100 Sikhs arrived in Lahore via Wagah on Tuesday. He said that after completing immigration and customs formalities, the pilgrims departed for Gurdwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib, by special buses.

During their 10-day stay, the Indian Sikhs will also visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. 

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Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President and Punjab Minorities Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chief Sajid Mahmood Chauhan and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq received the Indian pilgrims at the Wagah check post.

300 non-Sikhs applied for Pakistani visa

However, he did not mention that any Indian Hindus were barred from entering. As per reports, more than 300 non-Sikhs were willing to cross the border, but they were stopped as they didn’t have Ministry of Home approval.

Akal Takht leader Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Shrimoni Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee delegation led by Bibi Gurinder Kaur and Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee's Ravinder Singh Sweeta were among those who crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan.

The main ceremony of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary will be held on Wednesday at Gurdwara Janamasthan, some 80 km from Lahore.

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“All gurdwaras, including the Janamasthan and Kartarpur Sahi, have been beautifully decorated with lights. For medical assistance, teams from Rescue 1122 and the ETPB medical unit will accompany the pilgrims," Nasir Mushtaq said.

He added that foolproof security arrangements have been made at all entry points and surrounding areas. "Rangers, police, special forces, and the ETPB's own security wing have been engaged for the pilgrims' security," he said. They will leave for their homeland on November 13.

India-Pakistan tensions

Tensions remain high between New Delhi and Islamabad after the four-day conflict in May following the Pahalgam terror attack. Since May, both countries have virtually cut off all contacts, and they have even placed a ban on the use of their airspace for each other.

(With inputs from agency)

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