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| Guru Nanak's birth anniversary function in Pakistan | | India unlikely to allow agreed number of Sikh pilgrimsvv | |
NEW DELHI, OCT. 22
Official agencies in Pakistan have, significantly, given currency to reports that India may not allow the agreed number of Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan to attend a festival in connection with the 537th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak scheduled for November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birth place of the founder of Sikh religion.
Reports quoting official sources in Lahore said that the Indian government's mood after the July 11 Mumbai blasts indicates that it may not permit around 5,000 Sikhs to visit Pakistan. Last year some 4,500 or so Indian pilgrims were allowed to visit their holy places and participate in Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary.
Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, had last year endorsed issuance of up to 10,000 visas annually to Indian Sikhs on this occasion. However, official sources in Lahore were reported to have said that in the light of new developments, New Delhi was in no mood to allow such a large number of Sikhs to visit their holy places in Pakistan. "Actually the Indian government is also worried about the growing Sikh-Muslim affinity," reports from Lahore maintain.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board, which is responsible for the upkeep of gurdwaras and temples, has made arrangements for at least 15,000 pilgrims. The three-day festivities would begin on November 3 in Nankana Sahib. Some 4,000 Sikhs are expected from European countries, USA, Canada, Middle East and Afghanistan. A good number of Pakistaan-based Sikhs and Hindus would also attend the festival.
The Sikh pilgrims would bring out the palki (with Granth Sahib) on November 5 to mark the end of the festival. The palki would also be carried through other seven adjacent gurdwaras - Paiti Sahib, Palia Sahib, Tambu Sahib, Panjhvin Padshahi, Chehnvin Padshahi, Salji Sahib and Giyara Sahib.
The pilgrims would visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore and Gurdwara Rohri Sahib, Aimanabad between November 6 and 10. They will leave for their home on November 11.
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