Islamabad: India has refused to allow some 300 Sikh pilgrims to cross the border into Pakistan, to observe a major religious holiday.
More than 300 Sikh pilgrims with Pakistani visas were on their way to Lahore — to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Dera Sahib — but they were stopped at Attari, Wagah border, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder of the Sikh empire.
Pakistan had sent a special train to bring the Sikh pilgrims to Lahore, but India refused to allow the locomotive into its territory, Zakaria said.
Islamabad expressed disappointment over India’s decision on the Sikh tourists, who were scheduled to visit Lahore on Wednesday to participate in the religious event, Radio Pakistan reported.
Under a bilateral agreement, the facilitation of religious tourism is the responsibility of both Pakistan and India.
“It is unfortunate that this has been hampered twice in a short period this year depriving many Sikh Yatris of the opportunity to participate in their religious festivals,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson remarked.
He, however, hoped India would take effective steps to resolve the matter at the earliest.
The pilgrims were left stranded at the Attari railway station amid heavy rains as the train sent by Pakistan was not allowed by the Government of India at last minute, Indian media reported.
The pilgrims reached Attari station in the morning but were disappointed to learn that their train from Pakistan was not given clearance by India.
The Indian railway authorities said there was no permission from the government of India to allow the train.
India’s foreign ministry however said it was not aware the Sikh tourists had been stopped at the station despite having visas.
One of the pilgrims, Dr Jagir Singh from Zira said, “We got the visas but it was disappointing the special train was not allowed to pick us up. We had genuine visas issued a week ago. If there was any problem, the government should have informed us in advance.”
Meanwhile, the Sikh pilgrims demonstrated in protest against the Indian government at Attari Railway station and demanded passage into Pakistan.
They said they Pakistani government always provided them foolproof security every year; therefore they would attend the anniversary celebrations at any cost.
Another pilgrim, Jagjit Singh Bhullar, was upset that they were not allowed to proceed into Pakistan despite having the necessary travel documents.
“The Indian Government should not be troubled as we are just going for a pilgrimage. People have come here from all over Punjab and even New Delhi and all are struggling to get response from authorities. We are just told by rail officials that Special train cannot come as permission is denied by the Ministry of External Affairs” he told local media.
The pilgrims who reached Attari station belong to different organisations, including Bhai Mardana Yaadgari Kirtan Darbar Society (ferozepur), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Khalra Mission Committee, SAD (Delhi-Sarna faction).
