Amritsar, 10 April (H.S.): On the

auspicious occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi), around 2,840 Sikh

pilgrims from across India departed for Pakistan today via the Attari–Wagah

border to pay obeisance at historic gurdwaras.

Out of the total, approximately

1,763 pilgrims are part of the jatha sent by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak

Committee (SGPC). In addition, pilgrims from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management

Committee, the Haryana Committee, and other states are also part of the group.

Altogether, 2,840 devotees are travelling to Pakistan to celebrate Khalsa Sajna

Diwas and visit various revered Sikh shrines.

The jatha is being led by SGPC

member Surjit Singh Tugalwala. He said that Sikh devotees hold deep faith and

reverence for their holy shrines. The group will visit Gurdwara Nankana Sahib,

Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, and other historic gurdwaras in

Pakistan. After participating in the main Baisakhi celebrations, the pilgrims

will return to India on April 19. The pilgrims have been granted 10-day visas.

SGPC officials stated that 1,795

passports were sent to the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi, out of which 1,763

visas were approved, while 32 applications were rejected. Those who did not

receive visas expressed disappointment.

Pilgrims also appealed to both the

Indian and Pakistani governments to grant more visas so that more devotees can

visit their holy shrines. They further demanded easing of procedures for the

Kartarpur Corridor and removal of the $20 fee imposed by the Pakistan

government.

On this occasion, SGPC Secretary

Kulwant Singh Mannan said that the pilgrimage has been organized in connection

with Khalsa Sajna Diwas on April 14. He added that it is a 10-day religious

visit during which pilgrims will pay obeisance at various gurdwaras and return

with devotion and enthusiasm.

Jatha leader Surjit Singh Tugalwala

said that visiting the holy land of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, including Nankana Sahib

and Panja Sahib, is a matter of great fortune for every Sikh. He highlighted

that Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread the message of humanity, unity, and brotherhood,

and initiated the tradition of langar, promoting equality. He offered prayers

for the well-being and prosperity of humanity and the Sikh community.

A notable aspect of this year’s

jatha is that around 200 solo women have also been granted visas and are undertaking

the pilgrimage independently. It is noteworthy that earlier the SGPC had stated

that solo women would not be allowed to travel, but this time a large number

has been permitted.

It is also pertinent to mention that

last year, a controversy arose when a woman named Sarabjit Kaur, who had

travelled to Pakistan with a similar jatha, did not return to India after the

pilgrimage. Reports later revealed that she stayed back in Pakistan and married

a Pakistani national. Following this incident, security and intelligence

agencies are maintaining strict vigilance over this year’s group.

Keeping this in view, the SGPC has

introduced a strict multi-tier verification system, especially for solo women

pilgrims. Under this system, each woman pilgrim must submit a written

undertaking confirming that the purpose of the visit is purely religious. This

undertaking must be attested by the head of the family, the concerned SGPC

member, the village Sarpanch, and the Nambardar. Officials said that these

measures aim to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to religious

norms, so as to prevent any controversy in the future.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH