AMRITSAR: Pakistan government's decision not to allow more than one visit in a year to Sikh devotees wanting to visit shrines in that country and denial of visas to Indian pilgrims whose passports mention the place of birth as `undivided India`, has dismayed the devout.
At present, Sikh organizations, including Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha, Bhai Mardana Yadgar Kirtan Darbar Society and Haryana Gurdham Yatra Committee regularly send jathas there on religious occasions.
Confirming this, visa attachA©, Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, Mohammad Kamal, told TOI on Friday, "These are policy matters and the decision has been taken at higher level."
"This is very unfortunate, it has hurt the Sikhs` religious sentiments," said president of Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha Swaran Singh Gill. He said there were many Sikhs wanting to visit Pakistan on religious occasions, but now they would have to wait for a year.
According to protocol, four jathas are sent to Pakistan- on Baisakhi, martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev and Ranjit Singh, and birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.
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Saturday, September 3, 2011
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