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Pakistan high commission rejects 340 Sikh visas

The ministry of external affairs had asked Pakistan to issue visas keeping in mind the June 5 date as majority of Sikhs in India follow this date.

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Conflict of dates with regard to Gurupurab has led to visa rejection of 340 Sikh devotees aspiring for a pilgrimage tour to Dera Sahib (Lahore) in Pakistan.

While the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee-Amritsar (SGPC) observes the Gurupurab on June 5, the Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee observes it on June 16. The ministry of external affairs had asked Pakistan to issue visas keeping in mind the June 5 date as majority of Sikhs in India follow this date.

However, the Pakistani high commission in Delhi declined the visa requests on the ground of the dates confusion. An official of the Pakistani high commission told DNA that their office had taken the decision in consultation with various Sikh groups (Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee).

The first Jattha of Sikha was to leave on May 28 for a 10 day pilgrimage tour. The denial of visas has led to hue and cry among Sikh devotees who feel politics should not affect religious sentiments.

“Even if there is clash of dates in the community, the Pakistani government should to go by the date and list given by Government of India. They have rejected that too. The denial of visas has hurt our religious sentiments,” Chandok said.

 
Manjeet Singh of Akali Dal Badal, Delhi, too echoed Chandok’s views.

Meanwhile, taking umbrage of the issue, the MEA has once again asked Pakistan to go by the date given by Government of India – June 5. The Pakistan’s visa office in Delhi was closed on Saturday, hence, the officials said any decision can be taken only on Monday.

The Sikh community is divided over Nanakshahi Calendar. According to SGPC’s Paramjeet Singh Chandok, as per to amended Nanakshahi Calendar majority of Sikhs observe martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev on June 5, at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore. However, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and other organisations observe it on June 16.

 Four Jatthas of Sikhs from India and four of Muslims from Pakistan cross over borders every year for religious reasons.

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