Punjab: SGPC says no Jatha will be sent to Pakistan amid travel restrictions

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to send a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to Pakistan this year. This decision comes due to growing tensions between India and Pakistan and the travel restrictions imposed by the Indian government after a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

SGPC Secretary Partap Singh announced on Monday that the jatha, which was supposed to visit Pakistan on June 30 to mark the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, will not go this year. He explained that the government’s decision to restrict travel has left the SGPC with no choice but to cancel the pilgrimage.

“Due to the tension between both the countries and the travel ban by the Indian government, we are not sending the jatha this time,” Singh said. He also advised devotees to contact the SGPC pilgrimage department for any further information.

Travel ban after Pahalgam Terror Attack

The decision follows a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including many tourists. The Indian government responded by restricting its citizens from crossing into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border. This move is part of wider security measures taken after the tragic incident, which shocked the entire country.

India has increased its focus on border security and suspended various types of cross-border movement to prevent any further violence or threats. As a result, not just regular travelers but religious groups and pilgrimages have also been affected. The SGPC’s annual jatha, which is usually allowed to cross into Pakistan to visit Sikh religious sites, has now been stopped.

SGPC regularly sends jathas to Pakistan on special religious occasions, including the birth and death anniversaries of Sikh Gurus and historical figures. These visits help Sikh devotees connect with their heritage, as many important gurdwaras (Sikh temples) are located in Pakistan. However, given the current security situation, this spiritual journey will not be taking place this time.

The pilgrimage cancellation comes as a disappointment to many Sikh devotees who were preparing for the religious trip. The SGPC has been making arrangements for the jatha every year, working with both Indian and Pakistani authorities to ensure safe travel and accommodation. But this year, due to the changed circumstances, these preparations have been halted.

SGPC officials expressed concern over the situation but said that national security and public safety must come first. “We understand the pain of the devotees who wanted to make the pilgrimage,” said one SGPC official. “But we cannot go against the government’s travel advisories.”

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Sources say that there is currently no timeline for when jatha visits might resume. It will depend entirely on how the situation between India and Pakistan develops over the next few months. For now, any cross-border religious travel stands cancelled.

This development has also sparked debate in religious and political circles. While some people believe that religious pilgrimages should not be stopped, others argue that the safety of the citizens is more important, especially when terror threats are high.

Despite the cancellation, SGPC leaders are urging devotees to remain peaceful and prayerful. They hope that the situation will improve and the pilgrimage can be resumed in the future. In the meantime, the SGPC may look at holding a special program locally in Punjab to mark Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary.

Overall, this incident highlights the growing impact of regional tensions on religious and cultural exchanges. As long as cross-border peace remains uncertain, it may continue to affect not just politics but also the spiritual lives of people on both sides.