The Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s decision to allow the India-Pakistan cricket match while not allowing the Sikh devotees to visit Shri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan has set off a massive row with both, Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party and Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal questioning the “double standards” of the Centre.
Urging Home Minister Amit Shah to review the Home Ministry’s September 12 order directing state governments not to accept the applications for Jathas to visit the Sikh shrine, Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal said that denying permision will hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
“Sikh devotees are eager to visit Shri Nankana Sahib on this holy day (Prakash Purab), and denying them permission to do so will hurt their religious sentiments,” he said in a letter addressed to Shah.
Referring to the India vs Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup, Badal said that in view of the resumption of sports relations between Pakistan and India, Kartarpur Corridor should also be reopened for the convenience of Sikh devotees.
Earlier, Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kaler, Chief Spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal, had asked if cricket can be played between the two countries, the advisory blocking Jathas to Shri Nankana Sahib must also be withdrawn.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also called out the “double standards” of the BJP-led central government, saying when cricket can be allowed, why can’t devotees visit Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib.
“When you can play a match (with Pakistan), then what is the problem with letting devotees visit Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib?…” Mann asked.
In its advisory issued on September 12, the Home Ministry said that due to the prevailing security scenario with Pakistan, it would not be possible to send Sikh pilgrims Jathas to Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib in November this year.
The ministry had also asked states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the Union Territory of Delhi not to process applications for Jathas.
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