Pakistan Denies Entry to 14 Indian Pilgrims Ahead of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Citing ‘Not Sikh’ Status
Ahead of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Pakistan denied entry to 14 Indian Hindu pilgrims, stating they were “not Sikh.” The group had planned to visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, but only Sikh devotees were allowed visas. The move has sparked criticism from India, which called it discriminatory and against the spirit of religious harmony.
Rachna Das 
A diplomatic controversy unfolded ahead of Guru Nanak Jayanti as Pakistan denied entry to 14 Indian Hindu pilgrims, allegedly stating that they were “not Sikh.” The pilgrims were part of a group planning to visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to take part in the annual religious celebrations. While Sikh devotees were granted visas, Hindu members were reportedly turned away by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Indian authorities and religious groups, who termed the move discriminatory and against the spirit of interfaith harmony. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed disappointment, highlighting that the 1974 bilateral protocol on pilgrimages allows Indian citizens of all faiths to visit designated shrines in Pakistan.
Religious leaders in India condemned the decision, stating that devotion should not be judged by religion. The episode has once again strained India-Pakistan cultural relations, overshadowing what should have been a moment of shared reverence and unity.
