Centre protests Pak refusal to allow Hindu pilgrims’ entry

India has taken a “strong note” of Pakistan’s refusal to allow 14 Indian Hindu pilgrims to enter the country for Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations at Nankana Sahib last month and has lodged a “strong protest”, calling the action a violation of the 1974 bilateral protocol on religious pilgrimages, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the pilgrims, part of the jatha cleared for the 556th birth anniversary celebrations, were denied entry at the Wagah border despite holding valid travel documents. Under the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, both countries must permit such visits “without discrimination as to religion or sect”. Singh said Pakistan’s move breached this commitment and amounted to discriminatory treatment of Indian citizens.

“The Government of India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan and urged it to refrain from any discriminatory practices, including on religious grounds,” the minister said, adding that New Delhi has asked Islamabad to ensure such incidents do not recur.

While 1,932 Indian pilgrims travelled to Pakistan for the 10-day annual Gurpurab pilgrimage that ended on November 13, at least 14 Hindu pilgrims were turned back at Wagah. This was the first jatha to visit Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, the counterterror offensive launched earlier this year.

Officials said Islamabad’s denial of entry not only violated established protocol but also dampened the sentiment surrounding a pilgrimage significant to India’s minority communities. The matter continues to be taken up through diplomatic channels.