Indian govt bars Sikh pilgrims from attending Baba Guru Nanak's death anniversary

[uberkoen]

The Indian government has stopped Sikh pilgrims from travelling to Kartarpur Sahib and has barred them from taking part in Baba Guru Nanak 481st death anniversary.

Islamabad informed New Delhi of its decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor after completing all precautionary arrangements amid the coronavirus pandemic, as many Sikh pilgrims have started arriving from across the world to attend the event.

The Foreign Office (FO) also wrote two letters to Indian authorities regarding the arrival of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor. The FO wrote the first letter on June 27 and the second on August 27, but New Delhi has yet to respond.

The Sikh pilgrims have been taking part in the 481st death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak at Kartarpur for the past three days. Today [Tuesday] is the last day of the religious event.

Earlier, 14 US senators had demanded that India be declared a CPC (Country of Practical Concern), a term which used by the US to describe countries that are considered the worst offenders to religious freedom.

Ten Republican senators and four Democratic senators sent a jointly signed letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this month.

On September 15, Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi started issuing visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims who want to participate in the Pakistan-India Nagar Kirtan, which would start on October 28 in New Delhi and reach Janam Astana Shri Nankana Sahib on October 31.

The Nagar Kirtan is a rally for the Sikh religious book, Guru Granth Sahib, which is decorated in Palki Sahib and will be brought from New Delhi to Nankana Sahib accompanied by Sikh pilgrims.

Invitations to welcome the Nagar Kirtan at the Wagah border have been sent to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri and other federal and provincial ministers.

The former head of Delhi Gurdwara Management Company and the administrator of Nagar Kirtan Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarna informed The Express Tribune that the Pakistani high commission had started issuing visas for Nagar Kirtan.

A total of 1,500 visas would be issued and the process for most of the visas has been completed. He said Pakistan government and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee had given permission for Nagar Kirtan in 2018.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/226511...-attending-baba-guru-nanaks-death-anniversary

 

[uberkoen]

So not only are they religiously persecuting Muslims they are not moving on to Sikhs as well.

 

[gani999]

Guru Nanak's Birthday is being celebrated with fervour all over India. There is no ban on it. It is in fact, a bank holiday in many Indian states.
The ban is on Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan though the Kartarpur corridor, and the Indian government is free to ask its citizens not to visit a foreign country. It does not amount to persecution.
Indian Sikh pilgrims going through the corridor have to shell out 20 USD each, and over a million pilgrims may visit during important events like Guru Nanak's birthday. That's a lot of revenue loss for Pakistan and hence the complaint. [MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]: I thought you were one of the more astute posters on the forum and did not expect that you'll buy into this false narrative. You've let me down , my friend.

 

[MenInG]

So not only are they religiously persecuting Muslims they are not moving on to Sikhs as well.

Its a political issue now.

 

[uberkoen]

Guru Nanak's Birthday is being celebrated with fervour all over India. There is no ban on it. It is in fact, a bank holiday in many Indian states.
The ban is on Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan though the Kartarpur corridor, and the Indian government is free to ask its citizens not to visit a foreign country. It does not amount to persecution.
Indian Sikh pilgrims going through the corridor have to shell out 20 USD each, and over a million pilgrims may visit during important events like Guru Nanak's birthday. That's a lot of revenue loss for Pakistan and hence the complaint. [MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]: I thought you were one of the more astute posters on the forum and did not expect that you'll buy into this false narrative. You've let me down , my friend.

Stopping someone from making a religious pilgrimage is persecution even if it is done for economic or political issues. Everyone knows the importance of the pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib for the Sikhs and Pakistan made a brilliant move by opening the Kartarpur Corridor for the pilgrims to allow Sikhs to freely practice their religion. However, it is a fact that the ban is not only due to political or economic reasons but also coming from a fear of Pakistan's growing influence on the Sikh community in India.

As the Indian government tries to further trample the economic and religious autonomy of Sikhs living in India, of which their new laws to cripple Punjabi farmers is the beginning, Kartarpur will become increasingly more important for Sikhs as a place where they can congregate to push for their collective interests.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Stopping someone from making a religious pilgrimage is persecution even if it is done for economic or political issues. Everyone knows the importance of the pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib for the Sikhs and Pakistan made a brilliant move by opening the Kartarpur Corridor for the pilgrims to allow Sikhs to freely practice their religion. However, it is a fact that the ban is not only due to political or economic reasons but also coming from a fear of Pakistan's growing influence on the Sikh community in India.

As the Indian government tries to further trample the economic and religious autonomy of Sikhs living in India, of which their new laws to cripple Punjabi farmers is the beginning, Kartarpur will become increasingly more important for Sikhs as a place where they can congregate to push for their collective interests.

BJP govt showing typical baniya mentality here by stopping sikhs from pilgrimage. Of all people, they should know how hindus were prevented from praying at the birthplace of Lord Ram and they formed it an election rally point to provide hindus justice, but are doing the same to the sikhs.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Its a political issue now.

What isn't a political issue when it comes to India and Pakistan? Indian govt turns every prospect of interaction between the people of the two countries into a political issue. First sport was held hostage with the banning of cricket games between the two nations, then they moved onto entertainment and celebrities, now they are blocking religious contact. I haven't even touched on trade and travel.

India has never really come to terms with the existence of Pakistan, neither their politicians or by extension the population which is constantly bombarded with negative imagery. Would not be so bad if they offered a solution for their people to explore cities which used to be available to them before partition, but that is impossible while the very concept of Pakistan remains a dagger to the Indian psyche.

 

[sweep_shot]

If this ban is for COVID-19, I can see a logic.

If this ban is for politics, it is shocking and sad.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan did not open its doors to Indian Sikhs out of the goodness of its hearts. The aim is to add fuel to Khalistan movement under the pretext of religious freedom.

The Government of India is well within its right to remain vigilant. Moreover, as mentioned already, the Government of Pakistan is also making a lot of money out of this, and it is understandable why India does not want Pakistan to make money out of Indian citizens.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

India's unofficial head of PR in Pakistan has spoken.

 

[Star_Coffee]

Pakistan did not open its doors to Indian Sikhs out of the goodness of its hearts. The aim is to add fuel to Khalistan movement under the pretext of religious freedom.

The Government of India is well within its right to remain vigilant. Moreover, as mentioned already, the Government of Pakistan is also making a lot of money out of this, and it is understandable why India does not want Pakistan to make money out of Indian citizens.

What is this garbage?

Which pill did you forget to take this evening? or you are just bored and looking for a reaction to entertain yourself?

At the end of the day, it is one of the most important religious site for the Sikh community, and only their opinion matters - yours does not add any value to it.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Pakistan did not open its doors to Indian Sikhs out of the goodness of its hearts. The aim is to add fuel to Khalistan movement under the pretext of religious freedom.

The Government of India is well within its right to remain vigilant. Moreover, as mentioned already, the Government of Pakistan is also making a lot of money out of this, and it is understandable why India does not want Pakistan to make money out of Indian citizens.

That is extremely dumb. sikhs view Pakistani punjab as their spiritual homeland a la Israel. Ultimately, 'khalistan' includes Lahore, Pins etc

 

[TSA321]

That is extremely dumb. sikhs view Pakistani punjab as their spiritual homeland a la Israel. Ultimately, 'khalistan' includes Lahore, Pins etc

Most of the ones I've met here in the UK don't even know there's a Punjab in Pakistan. When I tell them I'm Punjabi they get super confused.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Guru Nanak's Birthday is being celebrated with fervour all over India. There is no ban on it. It is in fact, a bank holiday in many Indian states.
The ban is on Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan though the Kartarpur corridor, and the Indian government is free to ask its citizens not to visit a foreign country. It does not amount to persecution.
Indian Sikh pilgrims going through the corridor have to shell out 20 USD each, and over a million pilgrims may visit during important events like Guru Nanak's birthday. That's a lot of revenue loss for Pakistan and hence the complaint. [MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]: I thought you were one of the more astute posters on the forum and did not expect that you'll buy into this false narrative. You've let me down , my friend.

You haven't let me down though. Before you ask him, how about you read the thread title yourself first? The thread talks about Guru Nanak Ji's death anniversary not his birthday which is in November. We in India also call it Guru Nanak Jayanti. There is no national holiday on his death anniversary.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Guru Nanak's Birthday is being celebrated with fervour all over India. There is no ban on it. It is in fact, a bank holiday in many Indian states.
The ban is on Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan though the Kartarpur corridor, and the Indian government is free to ask its citizens not to visit a foreign country. It does not amount to persecution.
Indian Sikh pilgrims going through the corridor have to shell out 20 USD each, and over a million pilgrims may visit during important events like Guru Nanak's birthday. That's a lot of revenue loss for Pakistan and hence the complaint. [MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]: I thought you were one of the more astute posters on the forum and did not expect that you'll buy into this false narrative. You've let me down , my friend.

lol Muslims pay thousands to travel to their equivlant which is Medina, no Sikhs are upset about $20. Or do you expect Pakistan to do everything free for them?

On topic.


This will only make the Sikhs go against the extremist Hindus in power. Poor move from the RSS.

 

[El Generico]

lol Muslims pay thousands to travel to their equivlant which is Medina, no Sikhs are upset about $20. Or do you expect Pakistan to do everything free for them?

On topic.


This will only make the Sikhs go against the extremist Hindus in power. Poor move from the RSS.

Exactly, $20 is an extremely reasonable amount especially considering how much Pakistan has to spend on all the renovations, arrangements as well as the security.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected Indian concerns about Sikh Yatris visiting Pakistan for pilgrimage and said that they were fully facilitated during the trips.

“Pakistan provides maximum facilitation to the Sikh Yatris from all over the world, including India, for visiting their religious sites in Pakistan,” FO Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said at the weekly media briefing.

India had disallowed around 600 Sikhs intending to visit Pakistan from Feb 18 to 25 for the 100th anniversary of Saka Nankana Sahib. The group was expected to visit five gurdwaras in Pakistan.

Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had in a letter denying Sikhs permission to undertake the trip said that keeping in view the “capacity of health infrastructure in Pakistan” it could not allow such a large group to tour the country for a week.


The Indian home ministry also expressed concerns about the “safety” of the group because of what it said “considerable threat”.

Mr Chaudhri recalled that Pakistan had opened the largest and the holiest Sikh shrine in Kartarpur Sahib to facilitate Sikh Yatris. “The Sikh as well as the international community, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who while visiting Kartarpur described it as ‘Corridor of Hope’, have immensely appreciated this landmark initiative of Pakistan,” he maintained.

“The Sikh community remains particularly appreciative of the efforts made by Pakistan to complete the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Project in record time and for the excellent arrangements made to facilitate the pilgrims,” he added.

India, the spokesman said, should also facilitate Sikh Yatris for visiting their religious sites in Pakistan.

In reply to a question about the cancellation of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech to Sri Lankan parliament, Mr Chaudhri said: “The two sides are currently working on the elements of the programme of the prime minister’s visit, keeping in view the Covid-19 related health safety protocols.”

His reference to “Covid-19 related health safety protocols” was in itself a confirmation that the speech is no more taking place because the Sri Lankan government had used the pretext of the pandemic to cancel it.

However, diplomatic sources and Sri Lankan media claim the speech was cancelled because of concerns that Mr Khan could raise the Kashmir issue and the plight of Lankan Muslims.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2021

https://www.dawn.com/news/1608149/indian-concerns-about-sikh-yatris-rejected

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Bending over backwards on the hope of causing a rebellion. As if they seceded from India they'd become Pakistan's greatest ally.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan did not open its doors to Indian Sikhs out of the goodness of its hearts. The aim is to add fuel to Khalistan movement under the pretext of religious freedom.

The Government of India is well within its right to remain vigilant. Moreover, as mentioned already, the Government of Pakistan is also making a lot of money out of this, and it is understandable why India does not want Pakistan to make money out of Indian citizens.

It is a surprising thing that you saw through Pakistan gesture here and termed it as a move to fuel Khalistan Movement. In case Pakistan had not done so, you would again say Pakistan is doing wrong by not allowing Non-Islamic pilgrimage accessible !! I really do not understand what exactly you want from Pakistan.

If the Indian Government was well within rights to be vigilant, Pakistan was also well within their rights to allow the pilgrimage.

 

[Madplayer]

Shame on India for this. Sikhs deserve to go to their holy places. It is not for the hindutva brigade to "allow them" to visit.

 

[Slog]

Guru Nanak's Birthday is being celebrated with fervour all over India. There is no ban on it. It is in fact, a bank holiday in many Indian states.
The ban is on Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan though the Kartarpur corridor, and the Indian government is free to ask its citizens not to visit a foreign country. It does not amount to persecution.
Indian Sikh pilgrims going through the corridor have to shell out 20 USD each, and over a million pilgrims may visit during important events like Guru Nanak's birthday. That's a lot of revenue loss for Pakistan and hence the complaint. [MENTION=107753]uberkoen[/MENTION]: I thought you were one of the more astute posters on the forum and did not expect that you'll buy into this false narrative. You've let me down , my friend.

Lol. pot meet kettle.

You are the poster boy of someone buying into propaganda and here you’re accusing others of falling to the same thing

 

[daytrader]

Growing aversion: India keeps out Pakistani pilgrims
The visas issued to Pakistanis pale in comparison to those issued to Indian religious tourists

Even when it could not use the coronavirus as an excuse anymore, India spent much of last year denying Muslim tourists from Pakistan the right to perform their religious rituals in its territory.

The Muslim population in Pakistan is no stranger to the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government violating the Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, signed between India and Pakistan in September of 1974.

According to the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, India is bound to issue visas to Pakistani Muslim pilgrims every year to participate in the Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Alauddin Ali Ahmad Sabir; Urs of Hazrat Hafiz Abdullah Shah; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, and the Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusro.Mian Fayyaz, a leader of a group of devotees of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, commenting on the matter, told the Express Tribune that in February of last year that the Indian government denied their visas just two days before the Urs.

“We had waited all year to be able to go, all our planning had been completed but all of it went to waste when India abruptly denied us visas,” Fayyaz lamented. With the 811th Urs of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti set to be held soon, Fayyaz demanded that the federal government take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs of India. Apart from the Urs of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, Muslim pilgrims from the country were also not issued visas for the Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani held in September of 2022 - even when India was open for tourists from the rest of the world.

In contrast, annually, Pakistan issues 3,000 visas for Vaisakhi Mela; 1,000 visas for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's Martyrdom Day; 500 for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's birth anniversary; and 3,000 visas for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396534/growing-aversion-india-keeps-out-pakistani-pilgrims

 

[Cricket-lion]

Growing aversion: India keeps out Pakistani pilgrims
The visas issued to Pakistanis pale in comparison to those issued to Indian religious tourists

Even when it could not use the coronavirus as an excuse anymore, India spent much of last year denying Muslim tourists from Pakistan the right to perform their religious rituals in its territory.

The Muslim population in Pakistan is no stranger to the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government violating the Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, signed between India and Pakistan in September of 1974.

According to the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, India is bound to issue visas to Pakistani Muslim pilgrims every year to participate in the Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Alauddin Ali Ahmad Sabir; Urs of Hazrat Hafiz Abdullah Shah; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya; Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, and the Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusro.Mian Fayyaz, a leader of a group of devotees of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, commenting on the matter, told the Express Tribune that in February of last year that the Indian government denied their visas just two days before the Urs.

“We had waited all year to be able to go, all our planning had been completed but all of it went to waste when India abruptly denied us visas,” Fayyaz lamented. With the 811th Urs of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti set to be held soon, Fayyaz demanded that the federal government take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs of India. Apart from the Urs of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti, Muslim pilgrims from the country were also not issued visas for the Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani held in September of 2022 - even when India was open for tourists from the rest of the world.

In contrast, annually, Pakistan issues 3,000 visas for Vaisakhi Mela; 1,000 visas for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's Martyrdom Day; 500 for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's birth anniversary; and 3,000 visas for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday.

...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396534/growing-aversion-india-keeps-out-pakistani-pilgrims

If you were begging for money, corrupt and incompetent then may be the world will take you seriously. The enemies lay within. Its never too late to have self respect as a nation.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

For anyone with an iota of interest in history and the rule of the subcontinent, it is patently clear sikhs dream of a revival of the panths/empire and they actively sing for a homecoming to Pakistani Punjab.

Bhangra is laced with lyrics yearning for Pakistani Punjab/ Sikh heartlands akin to Zionism and Aliyah

It helps Pakistan is starting the colony in kartar

 

[PakLFC]

For anyone with an iota of interest in history and the rule of the subcontinent, it is patently clear sikhs dream of a revival of the panths/empire and they actively sing for a homecoming to Pakistani Punjab.

Bhangra is laced with lyrics yearning for Pakistani Punjab/ Sikh heartlands akin to Zionism and Aliyah

It helps Pakistan is starting the colony in kartar

I have always said that as well to those Pakistanis who support Khalistan so much. Today there are more Muslim's in Pak Punjab alone then the entire worldwide Sikh population. If the Muslim dream to to rule India again is absurd then Sikh's reviving their empire is even more stupid. "Operation Bluestar" was enough a lesson for them as to not punch above their weight. They can sing whatever they want it makes no difference.

 

[MenInG]

India has issued visas to only 249 Pakistani pilgrims to visit Ajmer Sharif instead of 488 applicants who intended to visit the shrine of revered Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Rajasthan.

According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, over 200 Pakistani pilgrims had been deprived of paying homage to the Sufi saint, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2397292/india-denies-visas-to-200-pakistani-pilgrims

 

[SpiritOf1903]

India has issued visas to only 249 Pakistani pilgrims to visit Ajmer Sharif instead of 488 applicants who intended to visit the shrine of revered Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Rajasthan.

According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, over 200 Pakistani pilgrims had been deprived of paying homage to the Sufi saint, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2397292/india-denies-visas-to-200-pakistani-pilgrims

Sensible. The threat of terrorism is all too real.