- Indian Hindus sent back at Wagah border after travel denial
- Pakistan allows Sikh pilgrims but denies entry to Hindus visiting Nankana Sahib
Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov 5 (Maxim News): A group of Indian Hindus who had sought to visit Pakistan was denied entry by Pakistani authorities on the grounds that they were not Sikhs. The incident occurred when Indian pilgrims attempted to cross into Pakistan to visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, on the occasion of his 556th birth anniversary. The Hindus, disappointed by the rejection, had to return to India.
According to officials, the Union Home Ministry had allowed about 2,100 Indian citizens to travel to Pakistan for the religious event. Pakistan issued travel permits for the group to facilitate their journey to Nankana Sahib. However, out of those travelers, a small group of 14 Hindus from Delhi and Lucknow was refused entry. Pakistani authorities reportedly told them, “You are not Sikhs but Hindus,” and insisted that only Sikh pilgrims would be permitted entry.
This move took place as more than 1,900 Indians crossed the Wagah border in Punjab on Tuesday to take part in the religious celebrations. It marked the first such large-scale movement since Operation Sindhur, which took place in May. While the Sikh pilgrims were allowed to proceed, the denial faced by the Hindus caused disappointment among the travelers and their families.
Meanwhile, 14 Sindhi Hindus born in Pakistan were recently granted Indian citizenship and had entered India with valid documents to meet their relatives across the border. Their case highlighted continuing complexities in cross-border travel agreements. The fresh episode at the Wagah border has now drawn attention to Pakistan’s selective visa and entry policies that differentiate between religious communities, sparking concerns about fairness and equality in pilgrimage access.
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