India has once again jeopardized religious freedom and interfaith harmony by imposing a ban on Sikh pilgrims’ entry into Pakistan on the anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
This decision has created uncertainty for approximately 500 Sikh pilgrims who were planning to visit Pakistan.
Security sources report that India has implemented a complete ban on the arrival of Sikhs in Pakistan starting May 7.
This ban not only prevents pilgrims from traveling to Pakistan for the anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh but also keeps the Kartarpur Corridor closed, a significant affront to Sikh religious sentiments.
Sources suggest that the Modi government is deliberately inciting Sikhs against Pakistan. During periods of heightened tensions, Sikh areas have reportedly been targeted, with attempts made to destroy places of worship and missiles fired in Amritsar to further an anti-Pakistan narrative.
Additionally, India allegedly attempted a drone attack on the sacred site of Nankana Sahib, intending to place blame on Pakistan.
Defense experts argue that India has long manipulated anti-Sikh sentiments, and Modi’s biased policies have made life increasingly difficult for both Sikhs and Muslims in India.
They emphasize that under the 1950 agreement, India should permit Sikh pilgrims to visit sacred sites in Pakistan during four key religious occasions each year, including the anniversaries of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the establishment of the Khalsa Panth (Baisakhi), and Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
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Defense experts believe that the growing closeness between the Sikh community and Pakistan, along with anti-Indian statements, has become a significant concern for the Modi government. This has led to actions that not only violate religious freedom but also contribute to heightened instability in the region.
In a recent event of war between Pakistan and India followed by India closing the Kartarpur Corridor, barring Sikh pilgrims from entering the sacred site, Indian media reported on Wednesday. The decision came after India launched a series of missile strikes on more than 20 locations across six Pakistani cities during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in the martyrdom of nearly 30 civilians and injuries to over 45 others, according to official sources.
On the other hand, Pakistan issued 6,629 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the Baisakhi festival, more than double the usual quota. This unprecedented move, the first of its kind in 50 years, allowed Yatrees to visit sacred sites such as Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. This record visa approval reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom, providing unparalleled access to significant pilgrimage sites after decades of restricted visitation.
In October 2024, Pakistan and India renewed their agreement to facilitate pilgrimages through the Kartarpur Corridor for another five years, the Foreign Office announced on Tuesday. The FO stated that the agreement, originally signed on October 24, 2019, allowed for the facilitation of Indian pilgrims visiting Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Pakistan.
