A Sikh jatha comprising 68 pilgrims departed from Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra, Haryana, on Saturday for Pakistan to participate in the death anniversary observance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The group will cross the Attari-Wagah border on June 21 and return on June 30, paying obeisance at historic shrines including Kartarpur Sahib, Dera Sahib, and Panja Sahib.
Flag-off and composition of the jatha
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) President Jagdish Singh Jhinda flagged off the buses carrying the pilgrims. He stated that 74 persons had applied, but only 68 from Haryana received permission. After a night halt in Amritsar, they will proceed to Pakistan. HSGMC members Harmanpreet Singh, Jasbir Kaur, Inderjeet Singh, and other community members were present.
Previous denial and lessons learned
Earlier this month, a group of 94 Sikh pilgrims was not allowed to cross into Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev. Sikh leaders attributed the denial to a failure in sending the verified list of pilgrims from Haryana to the authorities. Jhinda expressed regret over the incident, saying the sentiments of the Sikh sangat were hurt. He assured that HSGMC has made all arrangements to prevent a recurrence.
Strict adherence to rules urged
Harmanpreet Singh urged pilgrims to strictly follow government rules and regulations throughout the journey, avoiding any activity that could create problems for the jatha and the community.
Demand for increased pilgrimage quota
Jhinda informed media that HSGMC has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to increase and fix the quota for Haryana’s Sikhs for the pilgrimage, with allotment to HSGMC to ensure timely processing. Additionally, the committee sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan expressing concerns over the safety of minorities after a Sikh couple, caretakers of a gurdwara, were shot dead.
