Sikh organizations urge Centre to reconsider Pakistan pilgrimage travel ban

**Sikh Organizations Urge Centre to Reconsider Pakistan Pilgrimage Travel Ban**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 12:48 PM*

Sikh organizations and political parties have appealed to the Indian government to rethink its decision to halt pilgrimage travel to Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, a site of great religious significance. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) advised states to stop processing applications for journeys to Nankana Sahib citing security concerns related to Pakistan.

This directive has left many devotees disappointed. Among them is Kanwaljit Kaur Dhillon from Ludhiana district in Punjab, who, along with her husband, had been eagerly planning to visit Nankana Sahib to participate in Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary celebrations in November. “If the game of cricket between two nations could be allowed, then why restrict us?” Dhillon questioned. She is one of approximately 1,900 applicants who submitted their documents through the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the pilgrimage.

### Demand for Reopening Kartarpur Corridor

In addition to the plea for resuming pilgrimages to Nankana Sahib, Sikh organizations are also demanding the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor. This corridor, established in 2019 to facilitate easier access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, was temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened in 2021. However, it was shut again in May following Operation Sindoor.

On May 9, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the suspension of the corridor citing security concerns. So far, the Ministry of External Affairs has not indicated when it might reopen the corridor.

### Concerns Over Discrimination and Security Claims

Amarjit Singh, Director of the Sikh Studies Chair at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, questioned the government’s decision, pointing out that Sikh devotees from across the globe visit Nankana Sahib. “So, security would not be an issue only for Sikhs from India, would it?” he asked.

Similarly, Dharam Singh, a former professor at Punjabi University Patiala, criticized the ban, remarking that if bilateral cricket matches are permitted between India and Pakistan, then pilgrims should logically be allowed to visit as well.

### SGPC Seeks Permission for Pilgrimage

The SGPC had begun collecting passports from devotees in July to send pilgrimage visa applications to the Pakistan High Commission. This process was initiated before the Home Ministry issued its advisory.

Currently, the SGPC has formally requested the Centre to grant permission for pilgrims to visit Nankana Sahib during the upcoming Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary celebrations in November.

The Sikh community awaits a favorable response, hoping for the restoration of pilgrimage rights that hold deep spiritual significance.
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