Pakistan Denies Entry to 14 Indian Hindus on Guru Nanak Jayanti
The recent Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations saw a significant diplomatic incident. Fourteen Indian Hindus were denied entry into Pakistan while traveling to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Details of the Incident
The group, part of approximately 2,100 pilgrims authorized by India’s Union Home Ministry, faced unexpected barriers at the border. While Pakistan had issued travel documents for these pilgrims, the 14 Hindus—Pakistani-born Sindhis who gained Indian citizenship—were sent back at the Wagah border.
Reasons for Denial
- The Pakistani officials reportedly labeled them as Hindus, saying, “you are Hindu…you can’t go with Sikh devotees.”
- This left the group feeling humiliated as they walked back across the border.
Background Context
On the same day, about 1,900 Indian Sikh pilgrims successfully crossed into Pakistan to commemorate Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary. Notable figures among the entrants included leaders from the Akal Takht and other Sikh communities.
A significant ceremony was planned at Gurdwara Janamasthan, located 80 kilometers from Lahore. During their 10-day visit, the Sikh pilgrims would also stop at several landmark Gurdwaras, including:
- Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal
- Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad
- Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
Visa Regulations and Diplomatic Strains
The situation was further complicated by additional visa complications. Approximately 300 individuals seeking independent visas were turned back from India as they lacked official approval from the Home Ministry.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high since Operation Sindoor, a military response by India following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the loss of 26 civilian lives in April 2023. The attack was linked to The Resistance Front, a faction reportedly supported by the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
This incident highlights ongoing geopolitical challenges between India and Pakistan and the complexities faced by individuals trying to navigate their identities and religious affiliations in this sensitive context.
