The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has officially clarified that a group of 11 Hindus who recently returned from the Pakistan border were not part of their organized religious delegation. This statement comes amid growing confusion and speculation about the circumstances surrounding these individuals' travel and return.
Official Statement from SGPC Member
Gargaj Singh, a senior member of the SGPC, made the clarification during an interaction with media representatives in Amritsar on Monday. He emphasized that the Hindu individuals who had crossed back into India from the Pakistan border were not affiliated with any official jatha (religious group) organized by the committee. The SGPC is the primary organization responsible for managing Sikh shrines and facilitating religious pilgrimages to historical gurdwaras in Pakistan.
The clarification became necessary after various reports began circulating about these 11 Hindus and their connection to organized religious travel. Singh specifically stated that these individuals had returned through the Wagah border crossing, but their journey was not coordinated or sanctioned by the SGPC's official pilgrimage programs.
Background of SGPC's Religious Tourism
The SGPC regularly organizes jathas for Sikh devotees wishing to visit important religious sites in Pakistan, particularly gurdwaras associated with Sikh history. These official delegations follow proper protocols and coordination with authorities on both sides of the border. The committee has established procedures for managing these religious tours, which include obtaining necessary permissions and ensuring the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Religious tourism between India and Pakistan has always been a sensitive matter, requiring careful diplomatic handling and adherence to established bilateral agreements. The SGPC has been at the forefront of facilitating these pilgrimages for decades, maintaining relationships with Pakistani authorities to ensure smooth passage for devotees.
Implications and Ongoing Developments
This incident highlights the complexities surrounding cross-border religious travel between India and Pakistan. The return of these 11 Hindus through unofficial channels raises questions about alternative methods of cross-border movement outside established religious tourism frameworks.
Neither Gargaj Singh nor other SGPC officials provided specific details about why these Hindus were in Pakistan or the circumstances that led to their return. The clarification primarily focused on distancing the organization from any responsibility or connection to this particular group's travel arrangements.
The SGPC maintains that all its official jathas are properly documented and coordinated through appropriate channels, and any deviation from this process falls outside their purview. This statement aims to prevent any potential misunderstandings about the committee's role in this specific incident while reaffirming their commitment to properly organized religious tourism.
As cross-border religious travel continues to be an important aspect of India-Pakistan relations, such clarifications help maintain transparency about the processes and responsibilities of organizing bodies like the SGPC. The committee continues to facilitate official pilgrimages while distancing itself from unofficial cross-border movements.
