Sikh pilgrims Archives - National Times

02 Oct

India Allows Sikh Pilgrims to Visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purab

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabGuru Nanak Dev Ji, India Pakistan ties, Prakash Purab 2025, Sikh pilgrims

New Delhi, October 2: India has granted permission for Sikh Jathas (groups of pilgrims) to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Prakash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism, according to official sources.The pilgrimage will take place under the 1974 bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines. Officials clarified that only selected groups will be permitted based on recommendations from respective state governments. These recommendations will be forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), after which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will issue the final clearance.The decision comes after the Centre had earlier barred Sikh pilgrims…

CM Mann Questions Centre on Blocking Sikh Pilgrims While Allowing Cricket with Pakistan

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Guru Nanak Prakash Purb, Nankana Sahib, Punjab Chief Minister, Sikh pilgrims

Chandigarh, September 15, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday criticised the Union government for what he termed “double standards” in its dealings with Pakistan. He said that while cricket matches between the two countries were permitted, Sikh devotees were being stopped from travelling to Nankana Sahib on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purb.In a live address, Mann said the Centre’s reasoning was contradictory. “On one hand, matches are being played with Pakistan. On the other, Sikh Jathas are barred from visiting Nankana Sahib. Players claim they avoided shaking hands with Pakistani cricketers but how is…

SGPC Cancels Sikh Pilgrimage to Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Death Anniversary Amid Tensions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabdeath anniversary, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, SGPC, Sikh pilgrims

Amritsar, June 16, 2025 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to send Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan this year to observe the death anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a revered figure in Sikh history. The commemoration, traditionally held on June 29 at his samadhi in Lahore, will be missed by devotees due to rising cross-border tensions and prevailing government advisories.SGPC Secretary Partap Singh confirmed that although many Sikh devotees had already submitted their passports to the SGPC’s Travel Department for the annual pilgrimage, the trip has been called off as a precautionary measure. He emphasized that…