Urges Reversal of Restrictive Conditions
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD, The National Sikh Front (NSF) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Modi government for approving the travel of Sikh jathas to Pakistan for the Prakash Purab celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in November 2025. However, the NSF has fervently appealed for the immediate revocation of stringent new conditions that could impede devotees’ access to historical gurdwaras like Nankana Sahib.
In a statement issued today, NSF Chairman S. Varinderjeet Singh hailed the decision as a commendable step that honors the deep religious sentiments of the Sikh community, particularly after an initial advisory in September barred such pilgrimages citing security concerns amid India-Pakistan tensions.
“This approval under the 1974 bilateral protocol allows our devotees to pay obeisance at sacred sites, fostering spiritual bonds that transcend borders,” Singh said, noting that pilgrims will cross via the Attari-Wagah border to visit key gurdwaras, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
However, Singh voiced serious concerns over the enhanced procedural hurdles introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs, which mandate prior recommendations and clearances for all participants.
Under these rules, Sikh organizations must now route applications through state governments to the Centre for approval, involving detailed verification of pilgrims’ details by state police, CID, intelligence agencies, and coordination with central security bodies.
Only those explicitly cleared by both ministries and holding Pakistani visas will be permitted to join the jathas. Direct applications to the Pakistan High Commission are prohibited, with potential legal action under the Passports Act 1967 for violations.
“While we deeply appreciate the government’s sensitivity in reversing the earlier ban, these layers of police and intelligence scrutiny—absent in previous years—will only exacerbate difficulties for ordinary pilgrims, turning a sacred journey into a bureaucratic ordeal,” Singh stated.
He warned that such measures could set a precedent, placing future visits entirely under the purview of Delhi’s agencies and limiting spontaneous participation by devotees who traditionally submitted documents directly for visas.
The NSF Chairman urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to revoke these restrictions, emphasizing that religious pilgrimages under longstanding agreements like the 1974 protocol should prioritize faith over excessive security protocols. “Sikh pilgrims have traversed these paths even during past hostilities; imposing such controls now risks alienating the community and undermining the spirit of interfaith harmony,” he added, calling for a return to simpler processes to ensure broader access.
The NSF also echoed appeals from bodies like the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for reopening the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate easier visits. Singh concluded by advising Sikh organizations and devotees to remain vigilant about these changes and submit documents promptly through approved channels while advocating for policy relief.
The decision to allow the jathas, facilitated by the SGPC in coordination with Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board, reflects ongoing bilateral efforts for security and logistics. However, the NSF stressed that true devotion should not be encumbered by red tape, urging the government to ensure the pilgrimage remains a sacred journey of faith,DD