India-Pakistan News: Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Prakash Gurpurab, is celebrated by millions of people worldwide to mark the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. However, on Wednesday, when Hindu devotees attempted to visit Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, the location of Guru Nanak’s birth, several Indian devotees found the day distressing. Hindu worshipers were reportedly humiliated and denied entry at the border by Pakistani police, an incident that has angered India, whereas Sikh pilgrims were greeted with flowers and affection upon arrival.
Denied Entry at Wagah Border
In order to participate in the holy festivities at Nankana Sahib, the first group of Indian devotees departed for Pakistan. Several Hindu families from Delhi, Lucknow, and the Nawanshahr district of Punjab joined the Sikh jatha (group) through formal preparations. However, their journey suddenly stopped when they arrived at the Wagah border. The Hindu devotees were allegedly singled out by Pakistani immigration officials and Rangers, who rejected their entry and questioned their faith. 14 Hindu families were forced to go back to India, a decision that many people found to be extremely rude and discriminatory.
Painful Experience for Hindu Devotees
It was an emotionally painful experience for many of the returning devotees. Many of them moved to India after being born in Pakistan. Their long-held ambition of going to Nankana Sahib to pray and celebrate the Prakash Gurpurab at Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthplace was crushed. Devotees described the embarrassment they experienced while returning to the Attari Border. They clarified that in order to visit Sikh sites in Pakistan; they had received legitimate visas from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). However, when they arrived at the border, they were allegedly asked, “Why are you traveling with Sikh pilgrims? Gurudwara jane ke wajah, wapas jao apne mandir mein (Instead of going to gurdwaras, visit your temples.)”
India Government Move
According to official sources, India has taken the matter seriously and intends to discuss it with Pakistani authorities via formal diplomatic channels. According to officials, Pakistan’s action was intentional and meant to create division between India’s Hindu and Sikh communities.
In order to attend Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) celebrations at Gurdwara Janamsthan in Nankana Sahib, the first group of Indian Sikh pilgrims crossed the Attari-Wagah border into Pakistan on Tuesday. The primary festivities commemorating the 556th anniversary of the Sikhism founder’s birth take place on Wednesday, November 5.
