Decision of Government of India to Not Send Sikh Jatha on Occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Gurpurb is Wrong – Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib

Sri Amritsar, September 15 , Nazrana Times Beuro

The officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has termed as wrong the decision of the Government of India not to send Sikh pilgrims’ jatha from India to Pakistan in November this year on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Gurpurb (birth anniversary).

He said that if cricket match can be played between the two countries, then why should Sikh devotees not be allowed to travel to Pakistan. He emphasized that if the governments truly want peace and progress in the region, it is essential that India and Pakistan improve relations and open trade routes.

The Jathedar pointed out that under the agreement between the two countries, Sikh jathas go every year to visit historic Gurdwaras in Pakistan to pay their obeisance. But with this latest decision, the Government of India is depriving the Sikh community of participation in the celebrations at Sri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, which is absolutely wrong. He said that Sikhs across the world celebrate the Parkash Gurpurb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev with great devotion and reverence, and every year thousands of Sikhs pay obeisance at Sri Nankana Sahib.

Jathedar Gargajj further stated that whatever bitterness has arisen between the two countries in the past should not affect the community-to-community relations. Issues should be resolved with goodwill and dialogue. He also asked the Pakistan government to ensure and guarantee the safety of Sikh pilgrims to Government of India, if the jatha is allowed to visit.

He said that if the two countries can play cricket or other sports with each other, it is a positive step that deserves appreciation, as it improves mutual relations. But the same policy should also apply regarding Sikh jathas. He criticized the opposition parties in India, especially those active in Punjab, for protesting against the government on the issue of cricket with Pakistan. He said that any political party in Punjab should rise above narrow interests and welcome any step that strengthens bilateral ties by showing big heart, because only mutual cooperation and love, not hatred, can ensure peace in the region. He stressed that nothing wrong has happened with the playing of cricket matche between India and Pakistan, and the same approach should be adopted for Sikh pilgrim jathas.

Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that on one hand, the Sikh community and organizations have been continuously demanding the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor that was closed earlier, but on the other hand, the government has now dealt another blow to Sikh sentiments by stopping even the annual jathas that travel with proper visas under the bilateral agreement. He reminded that at the time of the Partition of 1947, Sikhs and Punjabis suffered immense trauma and were separated from their beloved historic Gurdwaras in large numbers, and now Sikhs feel they are being discriminated against and alienated.