Pakistan Denies Entry to 14 Indian Devotees, Says ‘You Are Hindu’ During Guru Nanak Jayanti Visit

In a controversy that has cast a shadow over Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations, Pakistan denied entry to 14 Indian devotees who had joined a Sikh jatha travelling to the country for the founder of Sikhism's birth anniversary.

The group, which included families from Delhi and Lucknow, was stopped at the Attari-Wagah border after Pakistani officials reportedly declared that they were Hindus and not part of the Sikh religion.

Families Claim They Were Stopped After Crossing into Pakistan

A jatha of nearly 1,900 pilgrims had set out for Pakistan to mark the Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Among them was Amar Chand, a Delhi resident, who travelled with six family members. According to Chand, their excitement turned into confusion when Pakistani officials informed them they would not be allowed to continue further.

"Pakistani officials told us you are Hindu, you cannot go with a Sikh jatha," Amar Chand said, speaking to PTI. The family was reportedly among 14 people asked to return to India soon after completing immigration formalities.

'We Paid for Bus Tickets, But Were Sent Back'

Chand said that after crossing the border, the devotees were instructed to board a special bus arranged for the pilgrims. "We spent ₹95,000 (of Pakistani currency) on bus tickets for all seven members," he said. "Later, five Pakistani officials came and asked us and seven others from Lucknow to get down from the bus. They told us, you are Hindu, you cannot go with a Sikh jatha, and then sent us back."

He also alleged that the amount spent on the bus tickets was not refunded. Amar Chand, who was once a Pakistani national and became an Indian citizen in 2010 after moving to Delhi in 1999, said the decision left his family deeply disappointed.

More Pilgrims Face Visa Hurdles

Reports also suggest that nearly 300 other applicants were denied permission at the Indian side of the border. According to NDTV, these individuals had applied for visas independently but were turned back for lacking approval from the Union Home Ministry.

Main Sikh Delegation Continues Pilgrimage

While the 14 devotees were sent home, the rest of the jatha proceeded to Pakistan for a week-long pilgrimage. The delegation will visit prominent Sikh shrines such as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur from November 4 to 13.

The development comes at a time when the Indian government has already decided against officially sending Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan for Parkash Purb this year, citing the strained security situation following Operation Sindoor.