Several Sikh organisations in India have claimed that the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi often denies visas to Hindus who request a journey to Pakistan with Sikh jathas, which is considered unfortunate. Harpal Singh Bhullar, head of the Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society, told authorities that a large number of Hindu devotees request visas to Pakistan to pay homage at several Sikh sites in the neighbouring country but are disappointed after being refused the documentation. “This time, too, I asked for visas for 16 Hindus who want to travel to Pakistan with a Sikh jatha to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary, but I’m not sure they’ll get them,” Bhullar explained.
Also, know the Top Cricketers with the Highest Test Score
On the wish to remain anonymous, the chairman of another Sikh organisation that also conducts jathas to Pakistan told authorities that when they raised the issue with a staff of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, they were intimated that they would “deny visas to two Sikh applicants for every Hindu applicant.”According to sources, a total of 3,250 people has applied for visas to Pakistan for the impending Guru Nanak Jayanti festivities; however, according to the protocol agreement, a total of 2,500 visas may be awarded.
According to sources, Pakistan has always attempted to drive a rift between Hindus and Sikhs because, “it has offered backing to the Khalistan movement, which is lead by a handful of Sikh terrorists.” “Rejecting visas to Hindus who want to travel with Sikh jathas is part of Pak ISI’s anti-India plot, which they have been effectively implementing,” said a source. “We have agreed to raise the issue with Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Aamir Singh in order to push the Pakistani government to provide generous visas to Hindu devotees for a travel alongside Sikh jathas,” the source said. Apart from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, there are tiny Sikh organisations in Amritsar, Chabhal, Dabwali, Jammu, Bathinda and others. Moreover, jathas are shipped to Pakistan on several religious occasions every year.
Harcharan Singh Dhami, the SGPC’s chief secretary, stated that the Pakistan High Commission “had their own criteria for awarding visas, which were unknown to us.”He went on to say that pilgrims had to obtain all of their Covid-19 vaccinations, and they had to have a negative Covid check report produced no more than 72 hours before entering the border. While admitting ignorance about the visa refusal issue, Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board spokesperson Aamir Hashmi stated that they had planned to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday from November 17 to 27.
