Sikh bodies hail Centre’s nod to Pak pilgrimage

Welcoming the Centre’s move to allow Sikh devotees visit Pakistan to mark Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday said, “The decision is both timely and commendable.”He also appealed to the Centre to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, which was closed in the wake of “Operation Sindoor” launched by India following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir.Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj also welcomed the move and stressed that pilgrimage to Pakistan strengthens communal harmony and foster peace in the region.“It is heartening that the Centre has reviewed its September 12 decision and has now respected the emotions of Sikh institutions and devotees,” he said.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs had written to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, among others, informing them that Sikh jathas would not be permitted this year in the aftermath of Pehlgam terror incident followed by “Operation Sindoor”.

The SGPC had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 29, urging the government to reconsider and allow the devotees to visit Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan to mark the occasion.

The SGPC said around 1,900 passports were received from devotees for visa processing.

The Sikh community now awaits the official letter, which will enable the formal dispatch of passports for visa processing.

Congress MLA and former hockey player Pargat Singh, former SGPC secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal and SAD (Punar Surjeet) leader Bhupinder Singh also hailed the decision.