Hindu pilgrims face discrimination: Pakistan denies entry to Nankana sahib, citing 'Sikh' visa requirement
Amritsar (The Uttam Hindu): The joy of a group of Hindu pilgrims traveling to Pakistan on the eve of the 556th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was dampened when they were stopped by Pakistani authorities even after crossing the Wagah border. Despite completing all formalities, including immigration, the pilgrims were humiliated and turned away.
According to The Times of India, these Hindu pilgrims, including families from Delhi and Lucknow, were part of a Sikh group traveling to Nankana Sahib. When the pilgrims attempted to board a bus, Pakistani officials stopped them. The officials announced that only those whose travel documents listed "Sikh" would be allowed on the bus to Nankana Sahib.
Expressing disappointment, a pilgrim said, “They (Pakistani officials) told us, 'You are Hindus, you cannot go with the Sikh group'.”
Amar Chand, a Delhi devotee who was turned away, said the incident was extremely disappointing. He said his family had crossed the border, completed immigration procedures, and even purchased bus tickets, but at the last minute they were stopped and asked to return to India. The family had hoped to join Sikh pilgrims at the holy shrines of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
According to reports, Pakistani authorities approved a total of over 2,100 visas, but only 1,796 were able to cross the border as part of the official Sikh group. Approximately 300 travelers, including both Sikhs and Hindus, were denied entry due to alleged "procedural flaws." However, Hindus clearly state that they were specifically singled out based on their religious identity, not procedural flaws.
Meanwhile, Indian government sources stated that some of the individuals stopped had previously lived in Pakistan and later acquired Indian citizenship. Sources stated that they were reportedly traveling to Pakistan not for pilgrimage purposes, but to meet acquaintances. Sources also stated that "the decision to deny entry falls within Pakistan's sovereign jurisdiction, and India cannot officially raise any objections in this regard."
The first batch of Indian Sikh pilgrims crossed the Attari-Wagah border into Pakistan on Tuesday. The main celebrations for the 556th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism are today, November 5, at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.