Pak refuses visa to 173 Katas Raj pilgrims

Yamunanagar, February 10

The Kendriya Sanatan Dharam Sabha (northern India) has decided to cancel the Katas Raj pilgrimage after the Pakistan High Commission did not grant visa to 173 pilgrims.

Shiv Pratap Bajaj, president of the sabha-cum-coordinator of the Katas Raj yatra, today said the yatra was to begin on February 11 and conclude on February 17. The sabha had submitted passports, fees and other relevant documents of 173 pilgrims to the Pakistan High Commission on time, but it did not grant visa.

“We were waiting for the grant of visa, but we didn’t get it. We have now decided to cancel the pilgrimage this year,” said Bajaj.

He added that district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Sagar, Satish Kumar Shaukin from Delhi, Prem Kumar Grover from Sirsa, Prem Narang from Ludhiana, Jitendra Makaul from Ambala, Trilok Chand and Roshan Lal attended an emergency meeting called by him today.

Bajaj said the sabha had been taking pilgrims to Katas Raj since 1982. “It is unfortunate that we are not going to Katas Raj this year. We had planned to take 200 blankets and idols of Lord Ram, Hanuman and other gods and goddess,” he added. — TNS