New Delhi: In an incident that has sparked fresh diplomatic unease, 14 Indian citizens travelling to Pakistan for the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev were denied entry and turned back at the border after Pakistani officials allegedly refused to accept them, claiming “they were Hindu and not Sikh.”
The pilgrims — Pakistani-origin Sindhi Hindus who later became Indian citizens — had joined a group of around 2,100 devotees cleared by India’s Home Ministry to visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. Pakistan had issued travel documents for roughly the same number of people.
Denied at the Border
On Tuesday, about 1,900 pilgrims crossed the Wagah border, marking the first civilian movement between India and Pakistan since Operation Sindoor, India’s military action in May following the Pahalgam terror attack.
However, it has now been confirmed that 14 members of the group were turned away. According to a report by NDTV, Pakistani authorities told them bluntly:
“You are Hindu… you can’t go with Sikh devotees.”
The group — which reportedly included devotees from Delhi and Lucknow — had to walk back “humiliated,” the report added.
Other Pilgrims Also Stopped
In addition, nearly 300 others who had applied independently for visas were stopped on the Indian side for lacking mandatory Home Ministry approval.
Despite the setback, senior Sikh leaders including Akal Takht representative Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, SGPC delegate Bibi Gurinder Kaur, and DSGMC’s Ravinder Singh Sweeta successfully crossed into Pakistan.
Celebrations Underway in Pakistan
The main Gurpurab ceremony is being held at Gurdwara Janamasthan, located about 80 km from Lahore. Over the next 10 days, Indian Sikh devotees will visit key shrines including:
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Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Hasan Abdal)
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Gurdwara Sacha Sauda (Farooqabad)
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Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (Kartarpur)
Tensions Cast Shadow Over Pilgrimage
The development comes amid heightened strain between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam massacre in April, which claimed 26 lives, mostly civilians.
While the Indian government has not yet issued an official statement condemning the denial of entry, the incident is expected to further strain bilateral relations during an already volatile period.
Observers say the episode highlights how religious diplomacy continues to be overshadowed by political tension between the two neighbours.