Fourteen individuals were reportedly denied entry into Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border, preventing them from attending celebrations for the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Pakistani immigration officials allegedly cited the pilgrims’ Hindu faith as the reason for refusal, stating, ‘You’re not Sikh.’ The group, comprising seven residents from Delhi and seven from Lucknow, had reportedly paid ₹13,000 each for a bus fare package, which was not refunded upon their denied entry.
This incident occurred as approximately 2,100 individuals received clearance from India’s Union Home Ministry to travel to Pakistan for the significant occasion. Islamabad had also prepared travel documents for a similar number of visitors. On Tuesday, an estimated 1,900 Sikh pilgrims successfully crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan. This marks a notable resumption of people-to-people contact between the two nations, especially significant after past periods of limited interaction.
Leading a Sikh delegation to Pakistan for the Gurpurab festivities is Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. He commenced his journey on November 4. The central event is scheduled to take place at Gurdwara Janamasthan, situated approximately 80 kilometers from Lahore. The Indian Sikh pilgrims’ ten-day itinerary also includes visits to revered sites such as Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
In related developments, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has advocated for the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor. After offering prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Guru Purab, he expressed his views to reporters. Mann emphasized that the corridor should be reopened proactively, not just in response to specific requests, especially given ongoing cricket matches and the ease with which devotees can currently visit Kartarpur Sahib for short durations. He urged the Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry to facilitate its permanent reopening.