In a controversial development during the annual Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan, at least 14 Hindu devotees from India were reportedly denied entry by Pakistani authorities while traveling with a Sikh jatha (pilgrimage group) to mark Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The incident occurred despite these individuals having Indian passports and prior clearance from Indian immigration authorities at the Attari-Wagah border.

According to a report by PTI, Pakistani officials reportedly told the devotees that they could not travel with the Sikh jatha because they were not followers of the Sikh faith. One of the affected devotees, Amar Chand, a resident of Delhi, explained that he and six family members were stopped and sent back to India. “Pakistani officials told us, ‘You are Hindu, you cannot go with a Sikh jatha,’” Chand said. Another group of seven pilgrims from Lucknow were similarly turned back, bringing the total number of Hindus denied entry to 14.

The jatha, consisting of nearly 1,900 Sikh pilgrims, had crossed over to Pakistan for the celebrations of Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The pilgrims’ itinerary included visits to significant Sikh shrines, such as Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore, and Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Gujranwala.

Chand recounted that upon arrival in Pakistan, the group completed the required immigration formalities and boarded a special bus arranged for the pilgrims. However, shortly thereafter, Pakistani officials reportedly requested that he and the other affected individuals disembark from the bus. Chand added that the group had spent approximately ₹95,000 in Pakistani currency on bus tickets, which was not refunded after they were sent back.

An official from the state intelligence wing posted at the border noted that the denied individuals were Indian citizens of Hindu faith who had previously held Pakistani nationality. Chand himself was formerly a Pakistani national, having migrated to India in 1999 and obtained Indian citizenship in 2010. The official clarified that the issue arose not from Indian procedures, but because Pakistan reportedly restricted their travel with the Sikh jatha.

Interestingly, this was not the first time that Hindu devotees accompanying Sikh pilgrims have successfully traveled to Pakistan. Palwinder Singh, in charge of the pilgrimage department of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which sends the largest number of Sikh pilgrims annually, stated that nearly 40 members of the SGPC group who were Hindu successfully crossed over with other jatha members. Singh emphasized that Hindus who follow Guru Nanak regularly participate in such pilgrimages, and historically, they have not faced restrictions on visiting Pakistan for religious purposes.

Apart from this incident, more than 200 pilgrims who had applied for visas independently were reportedly turned away on the Indian side of the border because they did not have the required approval from the Union Home Ministry. This indicates that procedural lapses, rather than religious identity alone, can also impact entry during such organized pilgrimages.

The pilgrimage to Pakistan is conducted under the framework of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950, which allows Sikh pilgrims to visit sacred shrines in Pakistan on four key occasions: Baisakhi, the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. Although the Indian government initially declined permission for the jatha to travel this year due to security concerns following tensions between India and Pakistan post Operation Sindoor, permission was later granted for the pilgrimage.

While most Hindu devotees traveled without issue, the refusal of entry to these 14 individuals sparked confusion and concern, especially given that the Sikh jatha and SGPC members crossed successfully. Amar Chand’s case highlights the complexities of cross-border religious travel, where nationality, religious affiliation, and administrative procedures intersect.

Chand and his family expressed disappointment at the treatment they received, noting that they had intended to offer prayers at the gurdwaras along the route in Pakistan. “We had traveled for a peaceful pilgrimage, but being sent back without clear justification was disheartening,” Chand said. He also noted that Indian officials inquired with Pakistani authorities about the denial but reportedly received no satisfactory explanation.

The incident underscores ongoing sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan border travel, particularly for religious pilgrims. While Pakistan allows Sikh pilgrims from India to visit their sacred shrines under the bilateral agreements, the denial of entry to Hindus traveling with the jatha suggests inconsistencies in the application of these rules.

Religious pilgrimages have long been a significant element of people-to-people diplomacy between India and Pakistan. Over the years, large jathas have traveled to Pakistan to participate in festivals such as Guru Nanak Jayanti, visiting historic gurdwaras and other holy sites. These pilgrimages often require close coordination between the SGPC, Indian authorities, and Pakistani officials to ensure smooth entry and compliance with visa and security protocols.

The refusal of entry to Hindu devotees in this instance may also raise questions about administrative clarity and the treatment of cross-border pilgrims who follow multiple religious traditions or who are part of diverse faith communities accompanying Sikh groups. While the SGPC and other authorities work to facilitate such journeys annually, isolated incidents like this could impact confidence and participation among future pilgrims.

As of now, the jatha continues its pilgrimage in Pakistan, visiting Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur, Lahore, and other key sites until November 13, 2025. Meanwhile, the Indian government has not publicly commented on the specific case of the 14 Hindus sent back, though the broader framework of cooperation and bilateral agreements governing pilgrimages remains in place.

This development serves as a reminder that while historical treaties like the Nehru-Liaquat Pact have created avenues for religious travel, the practical implementation of such arrangements can be affected by national security considerations, administrative discretion, and interpretations of eligibility based on religion or citizenship.

In summary, at least 14 Hindu devotees from Delhi and Lucknow were denied entry to Pakistan while accompanying a Sikh jatha for Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations. Despite having proper Indian documentation and prior clearance at the Attari-Wagah border, Pakistani officials reportedly cited their Hindu faith as the reason for refusal. Other Hindu pilgrims in the group were allowed entry, highlighting inconsistencies in enforcement. The incident underscores the delicate nature of cross-border religious travel between India and Pakistan and the ongoing need for clear, consistent protocols to facilitate such pilgrimages in line with historic agreements and mutual trust.