Pak Denies Entry to 14 Indian Hindus on Guru Nanak Jayanti
Pakistan recently denied entry to 14 Indian Hindu pilgrims who intended to visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism. This incident occurred during the celebration of Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary, where around 2,100 pilgrims were cleared for travel by the Indian Union Home Ministry.
Incident Summary
Officials reported that the pilgrims were refused entry under the claim that they were not Sikhs. Instead, they were sent back, highlighting the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Details of the Incident
- The group included individuals from Delhi and Lucknow.
- Travel documents were issued to approximately 2,100 pilgrims by Pakistan.
- About 1,900 devotees successfully crossed through the Wagah border on the same day.
According to sources, the 14 denied entry were Pakistani-born Sindhis who had gained Indian citizenship. They reported feeling humiliated after being explicitly told, “you are Hindu… you can’t go with Sikh devotees.” This episode illustrates the discriminative practices surrounding religious identity at border crossings.
Background of Pilgrimage
The Indian pilgrims planned to take part in various religious activities during their 10-day visit. Key sites included:
- Gurdwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib
- Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal
- Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad
- Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur
Challenges for Other Pilgrims
In addition to the denial faced by the 14 pilgrims, 300 others were also turned back at the Indian border. These individuals had applied for visas independently but lacked the essential approval from the Home Ministry.
Ongoing Tensions
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following Operation Sindoor. This operation was a military response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that occurred on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed.
As the Sikh community in India commemorates this festival, the denial of entry to Hindu pilgrims raises concerns about inclusivity and cross-border relations in the region.
