Response to Indian Ban on Sikhs Visiting Nankana Sahib in Pakistan; Kashmir Sikh Assault

Quoting security reasons, the Panjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sunil Jakhar justified the Indian union government’s decision to ban Sikhs from visiting Nankana Sahib—the birthplace of first Sikh sovereign Guru Nanak in Pakistan. The Kendri (central) Sri Guru Singh Sabha (organization) hit out at the decision saying this was a direct intrusion into the affairs of the minority community. The Panjab opposition Indian National Congress (INC) chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring urged the Prime Minister Narendera Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to allow Sikhs to travel. Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa wrote to the government, ‘with deep anguish and concern regarding the Center's decision to disallow Sikh pilgrims from visiting Nankana Sahib.’ Bajwa expressed disappointment that the ‘age-old traditions, faith, and spiritual practices of millions of Sikhs are repeatedly sacrificed in the name of hostility between two governments.’ Mahesh Singh, vice president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also asked the Indian government to reconsider its ban. Meanwhile, the Sikhs leaders in BJP enacted a sideshow. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri submitted recommendations to the PM for safekeeping of the revered Sikh relic Jore Sahib—footwear attributed to the tenth Sikh sovereign Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur. Puri's claim is, the sacred artefacts have been preserved and safeguarded by his family for generations. The relic comprises two footwear items, one belonging to Guru Gobind Singh (right foot) and the other to Mata Sahib Kaur (left foot). Puri did not speak on Nanakana Sahib. Concurrently, In Jammu, on 17 Sep, Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) beat a Sikh truck driver and pulled off his turban near the Ring Road toll plaza. The incident sparked anger among Sikh community and transport associations. Senior INC leader Taranjit Singh Tony led a protest in Miran Sahib with the support of local Sikh organizations, Tony said, 'This is not just a case of misbehavior. It is an act of disrespect to the Sikh identity' (earlier coverage).