Was denied entry into Pakistan with Sikh group: pilgrim
In a troubling incident at the Attari-Wagah border, Pakistani authorities have reportedly barred an Indian Hindu pilgrim and his relatives from joining a Sikh delegation traveling to Pakistan for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, sparking concerns over interfaith participation in religious observances.
Amar Chand, an Indian citizen originally from Pakistan, recounted to PTI how he and six family members were abruptly turned away after entering Pakistan on Tuesday. The group had joined a convoy of approximately 1,900 Sikh pilgrims heading to commemorate the Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Chand emphasized that their sole intent was to pay respects at key gurdwaras during the sacred event.
The family, hailing from Delhi, had meticulously followed entry protocols upon crossing the land border. They even purchased tickets worth ₹95,000 in Pakistani rupees for a dedicated pilgrim bus to facilitate their journey. However, Chand alleged that midway through the process, five Pakistani officials intervened, ordering them off the vehicle. “Pakistani officials told us you are Hindu, you cannot go with a Sikh jatha,” Chand quoted them as saying, before escorting the group back across the border. No refund was issued for the bus fares, adding to their frustration.
Chand, who relocated to India in 1999 and secured citizenship in 2010, further claimed that seven other Indian visitors from Lucknow faced identical treatment and were similarly denied passage. Indian border personnel reportedly sought clarification from their Pakistani counterparts regarding the abrupt decision, though details of the exchange remain unclear.
The Sikh jatha, permitted by the Indian government after initial security-related hesitations, is scheduled for an extended stay in Pakistan from November 4 to 13. Their itinerary includes visits to historic sites such as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur—places deeply revered in Sikh tradition.
This episode unfolds against the backdrop of the annual Parkash Purb, a joyous festival marking Guru Nanak’s birth, which draws devotees from across borders to these illuminated shrines. As preparations light up sites like Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal district, the reported exclusion raises questions about inclusivity in cross-border religious diplomacy, even as the bulk of the pilgrimage proceeds without further hitches.