Punjab woman sparks uprise after converting to Islam, marrying Pakistani in Lahore

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : Devotees from India traveled to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on November 4th to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The disappearance of Sarabjit Kaur, a woman from Punjab's Kapurthala district, caused a stir. Sikh groups were demanding an investigation into the case when shocking information emerged about the missing woman.

In fact, Sarabjit Kaur, who went missing, converted to Islam and married a Pakistani man in Lahore. She has changed her name to Noor Hussain. A copy of her Nikahnama and passport has surfaced. Sarabjit married Nasir Hussain, a resident of Naya Abadi Sheikhupura. According to Indian records, the woman entered Pakistan via the Attari border in Amritsar on November 4th with a group of 1,922 pilgrims.

The group was led by Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. After spending 10 days in various gurdwaras in Pakistan, the group of 1,922 pilgrims returned to India on Thursday evening. According to immigration records, Sarabjit Kaur was missing from the group. Her name was not in the immigration records at the time of entry into India. Following her disappearance, intelligence agencies in India are trying to trace her whereabouts.

Sarabjit was separated from her husband. Her ex-husband, Karnail Singh, has been living in England for nearly 30 years. She has two sons from her first marriage. Indian government sources said the Indian mission in Pakistan is in contact with Pakistani officials. On November 4th, Sikh pilgrims traveled to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The central government had last month allowed Sikh pilgrims to undertake a 10-day pilgrimage to the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. However, about two weeks ago, the government had refused permission for the pilgrimage citing security concerns. Every year, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sends a delegation of pilgrims to Pakistan to pay obeisance at various historical Gurdwaras associated with Sikhism, especially on the occasion of 'Prakash Parv' of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.