AMRITSAR, Oct 2 — The Centre has approved the visit of a Sikh jatha to Pakistan in November to mark the Parkash Purab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, reversing its earlier stand that had barred the pilgrimage this year.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Wednesday confirmed the decision, though an official letter is expected by Thursday, after which passports of devotees will be formally dispatched for visa processing.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier informed state governments that the pilgrimage would not be permitted this year in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. That decision triggered sharp criticism from Sikh bodies. On September 29, the SGPC wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging a review so that devotees could visit Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines across the border.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami welcomed the reversal, calling it a timely and commendable step. He said the committee would reconnect with devotees to resubmit nearly 1,900 passports collected earlier for visa purposes. Dhami also appealed to the government to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor.
Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, hailed the move as an affirmation of Sikh sentiments. “Pilgrimages to Pakistan strengthen communal harmony and foster peace in the region. It is heartening that the government has respected the emotions of Sikh institutions and devotees,” he said.
Political leaders including Congress MLA and former hockey Olympian Pargat Singh, ex-SGPC secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, and SAD (Punar Surjeet) leader Bhupinder Singh also lauded the decision.
The Sikh community now awaits the formal approval letter, which will pave the way for visa clearances and the dispatch of jathas to Pakistan next month.
