Centre allows only Indian citizens in the Sikh jatha to Nankana Sahib amid post-Operation Sindoor security concerns
After a brief period of uncertainty following Operation Sindoor and heightened border tensions, the first Sikh jatha departed for Attari on Tuesday to cross into Pakistan for the celebrations of Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurdwara Janamsthan in Nankana Sahib, reported tribuneindia.com.
This year, however, the Central government restricted participation to Indian citizens only, excluding Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who have traditionally been part of the pilgrimage. The move comes shortly after the government initially declined to send the jatha, citing security concerns in the wake of limited drone exchanges between India and Pakistan.
Over 2,000 Sikh pilgrims set out for Nankana Sahib to mark Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purb
Confirming the development, Palwinder Singh, in charge of the Yatra Vibhag of the SGPC, said he was unaware of the reasons behind the decision to exclude NRIs this year. Despite the restriction, a total of 2,000 Sikh pilgrims will cross the Attari border to pay their respects at historic gurdwaras in Lahore and Nankana Sahib.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has made elaborate arrangements, including buses to transport 1,796 pilgrims from Heritage Street near the Golden Temple to the Attari border, with departures beginning at 8 a.m. The remaining participants from other Sikh bodies are expected to join directly at the border.
Pilgrims to return on November 13 after completing week-long religious journey
The Sikh devotees, many of whom are first-time pilgrims, will return to India on November 13 after completing their spiritual journey. Several Sikh organisations had appealed to the government to allow at least a symbolic jatha, emphasizing that the annual pilgrimage represents an important religious and cultural bridge between the two nations.
Following the appeals, the Centre reversed its earlier decision, permitting the limited group to proceed, though under tighter security and without participation from the Indian diaspora.
