The group was flagged off from the historic Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra by Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda.
Image: IANS
A fresh batch of Sikh pilgrims from Haryana departed for Pakistan on Saturday to participate in religious events associated with the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, weeks after several devotees were unable to undertake the journey due to pending travel clearances.
The group was flagged off from the historic Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra by Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda. According to committee officials, 68 pilgrims are part of the delegation, including 33 devotees who had earlier returned from the Attari-Wagah border after being denied permission to proceed.
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HSGMC representatives said the pilgrims received the necessary clearance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, enabling them to resume their planned religious visit. The group is scheduled to travel via Amritsar before entering Pakistan and is expected to return to India on June 30.
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Earlier this month, a larger group of 94 pilgrims from Haryana, including women and children, had set out for Pakistan to visit historic Sikh shrines and participate in commemorative events linked to Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom anniversary. Although the pilgrims reportedly possessed valid travel documents and visas, they were unable to cross the border after final approval for the visit was not received in time.
Committee members said the devotees waited for several hours at the Attari border, hoping for clearance, but eventually had to return home disappointed. The issue attracted attention after Sikh pilgrims from Punjab and Delhi were allowed to proceed with their visits during the same period.
The matter was subsequently raised by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Haryana president Harikesh Mohri, who submitted a memorandum to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini through district authorities, seeking an inquiry and clarification regarding the circumstances that prevented the pilgrims from travelling.
Speaking on the occasion, HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda also commented on recent developments concerning Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Referring to the decision announced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jhinda said the Sikh temporal authority had taken its decision after due deliberations and inquiry. He maintained that Sri Akal Takht Sahib remains the highest religious authority for Sikhs and said remarks directed against the institution were inappropriate.
Jhinda further stated that the committee would pursue efforts to secure the land associated with Gurdwara Gyan Godri in Haridwar. He said representations would be submitted to both Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Uttarakhand government regarding the issue. According to him, the committee believes the historic site requires restoration and preservation.
The HSGMC leader also expressed concern over reports relating to Sikh pilgrims travelling to Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. He alleged that some devotees had faced difficulties during their journey and called upon the state administration to take appropriate action wherever required. He emphasised that all faiths and religious symbols should be treated with equal respect.
The committee said it would continue to raise issues concerning Sikh religious institutions and pilgrims while working to facilitate smoother travel arrangements for devotees visiting historic shrines in India and abroad.
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