The Indian government has decided to bar Sikh pilgrims from attending Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom anniversary in Pakistan which has sparked criticism from religious leaders and interfaith advocates.
In spite of this prohibition, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) held a symbolic welcome at the Wagah border in Lahore on Sunday to show support for the Sikh community and to foster religious harmony.
On June 16, Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, are invited to attend the main event commemorating Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.
The event program stated that the Indian pilgrims were expected to reach Pakistan on June 9.
However, the Indian government forbade its nationals from making the pilgrimage due to the border closure and the current tensions between India and Pakistan.
ETPB Chairman Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, committee members, Priest Pandit Kashi Ram of Lahore’s Krishna Mandir, Balmiki Hindu community representative Amarnath Randhawa, Syed Ali Raza Gillani, the custodian of Hazrat Mian Mir’s shrine Makhdoom, and members of the Christian community were all in attendance to show interfaith solidarity.
Up to 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are allowed to travel to Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary celebrations under a bilateral arrangement, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar told the crowd.
“Unfortunately, the Indian government has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed this year in addition to denying its pilgrims permission,” Khokhar said.
