The Sikh community has urged the Indian government to lift its ban on pilgrims traveling to Pakistan for the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, this November.
The Vice President of the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Pakistan) said thousands of Sikhs are eager to join the week-long celebrations. He added that Pakistan has assured the corridor remains open for Indian pilgrims, with visas available through the High Commission in New Delhi.
Earlier, India rejected Pakistan’s invitation for Sikhs to attend Guru Nanak’s 486th death anniversary in September, leaving no Indian pilgrims able to participate due to the closure of the Wagah/Attari border and the Kartarpur Corridor. Sikhs from the US, UK, Europe, and other countries, however, were present.
Tensions escalated earlier this year after both countries closed borders and expelled each other’s citizens, followed by a brief confrontation in May. Despite this, Pakistan reiterated that its doors remain open for Sikh pilgrims and again invited Indian devotees.
Sources said the Indian government refused to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) for land travel. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora condemned the restriction, calling it a violation of religious rights, and vowed to address the matter further in a press conference.
Two days back, India Restricted Sikhs from Marking Guru’s Anniversary
