Identity Barrier: Pakistani officials at the Wagah border separated Hindu pilgrims from the main Sikh group, sparking accusations of religious discrimination.
A journey meant to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, has been marred by a surprising incident at the border. Fourteen Indian citizens who were supposed to join a large group of pilgrims heading to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan were reportedly sent back by Pakistani officials. The reason given was that they were Hindu, not Sikh. This happened during the first major exchange of people since the brief military conflict, Operation Sindoor, in May.
Turned Away at the Wagah Border
About 2,100 Indian citizens had received official permission from the Union Home Ministry and corresponding visas from Islamabad to travel to Pakistan. On Tuesday, roughly 1,900 people successfully crossed the Wagah border. However, sources confirm that 14 individuals were stopped and sent back. These 14 were Hindu pilgrims, all of whom were Sindhis born in Pakistan but now hold Indian citizenship. Many were hoping to use the pilgrimage trip as a chance to meet relatives.
Pakistani officials reportedly told them directly: “You are Hindu… you can’t go with Sikh devotees.” The citizens, including some from Delhi and Lucknow, felt “humiliated” as they were told that only those officially listed in Pakistani records as Sikh would be allowed to travel with the main group.
High Tensions Since Operation Sindoor
The reason for such strict checking and sensitivity at the border is the high level of tension between Delhi and Islamabad following the military conflict earlier this year. Operation Sindoor was India’s military action taken after a terrible terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In that attack, twenty-six people, mainly regular citizens, were killed. Investigations showed the attack was linked to The Resistance Front, which is connected to the Pakistan-sponsored terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In this atmosphere of mistrust, the movement of people across the border is handled with extreme caution. The denial of entry to the Hindu pilgrims highlights how religious identity is being strictly enforced for this particular pilgrimage route.
Other Pilgrims Also Stopped
Adding to the complexity, another group of around 300 people who had applied for visas on their own were also stopped, but on the Indian side of the border.
These individuals were turned back because they did not have the necessary approval from the Indian Home Ministry. This shows that even if Pakistan issues a visa, travelers still need mandatory official clearance from India during this sensitive time.
The Pilgrimage Continues
Despite the issues at the border, the main Sikh delegation proceeded with their journey. Important religious leaders, including Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj (Akal Takht), Bibi Gurinder Kaur (SGPC), and Ravinder Singh Sweeta (DGMC), were among those who crossed the border.
The pilgrims are scheduled to celebrate Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary at Gurdwara Janamasthan, and will also visit other significant holy sites like Gurdwara Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur over their 10-day stay. The incident with the 14 citizens serves as a clear reminder that travel and religious ties remain deeply affected by the ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
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