Wagah: In a clear effort to drive a wedge between Hindus and Sikhs, Pakistan has disallowed Hindu devotees from visiting Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his birth anniversary on Wednesday.
For generations, Hindus have celebrated Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti with the Sikhs at various Gurudwaras. Nankana Sahib is now in Pakistan and Hindus were allowed to visit the shrine till 2024.
This year, while Sikh pilgrims were greeted with flowers and warmth upon arrival, Pakistani authorities denied entry to Hindu devotees, humiliating and turning them away at the border. This has sparked outrage and the Indian government has decided to take up the matter with Pakistan.
According to reports, the first group of Indian devotees left for Pakistan to take part in the sacred celebrations at Nankana Sahib. Among them were several Hindu families from Delhi, Lucknow, and Punjab’s Nawanshahr district, who joined the Sikh jatha (group) under official arrangements.
On reaching the Wagah border, the journey came to an abrupt halt for the Hindus with Pakistani immigration officers and Rangers allegedly singling them out, questioning their faith and refusing them entry.
It has been reported that 14 Hindu families were forced to return to India. This has been described by many as discriminatory and deeply disrespectful.
Upon their return to the Attari Border, devotees Ganga Ram and Amar Chand recounted the humiliation they faced. They explained that they had obtained valid visas through the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan. This was reported by ABP Live.
At Wagah, they were reportedly told, “Why are you going with Sikh pilgrims? Go to your temples instead of Gurudwaras.”
It has been reported that the group pleaded with officials, explaining that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is revered not only by Sikhs but also by millions of Hindus who follow his teachings of equality and compassion. Despite their explanations, Pakistani authorities refused to relent, forcing the families to return home in despair.
The experience was emotionally devastating for most of the returning devotees. Several of them were born in Pakistan and later settled in India. Their long-cherished dream of visiting Nankana Sahib, to offer prayers and celebrate the Prakash Gurpurab at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was shattered.
“It felt like our devotion was insulted,” one of them said, holding back emotion.
Government of India officials confirmed that India has taken serious note of the incident and plans to raise the issue with Pakistani authorities through official diplomatic channels. Officials believe the move by Pakistan was deliberate, aimed at sowing discord between Hindu and Sikh communities in India.
Pakistan is making all efforts to reignite trouble in Punjab by smuggling across sophisticated weapons, drugs and money. It is also providing support to terrorist outfits like the Babbar Khalsa International to promote anti-India and anti-Hindu feelings in Punjab.