Be liberal in giving visas to jathas, SGPC urges Pak

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged the Pakistani authorities to have a liberal approach in granting visas to pilgrims on Gurpurbs as per agreed norms between the two nations.

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An SGPC delegation, including its chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, member Rajinder Singh Mehta, secretary Partap Singh and assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh, on Friday met Pakistan High Commission’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich in New Delhi.

The SGPC sends jathas to gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasions of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi), martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev with the state having an approved quota of 1,800, 600, 300 and 1,800 visas, respectively.

Mehta said in the past, many pilgrims were denied visas without citing valid reasons. “The Pakistan officials have been requested to grant maximum visas to devotees keeping in view their sentiments,” he said.

Partap Singh said they also told the officials to grant visas as per Nanakshahi calendar (amended version of original calendar) approved by Akal Takht.

The SGPC observes the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev as per Takht-approved calendar which varies every year, but never matches the fixed date of June 16 when the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) observes the day as per the original calendar.

Mannan said due to difference in dates, the SGPC had not been able to send its jatha to Pakistan since 2012 as the visas were not granted. “This year, the SGPC will observe the occasion on May 30. We have requested the Pakistan authorities to grant visas for the same,” he said.