Editorial: Modi Government Should Review Its Decision
It is true that the Indian government had cut ties with Pakistan in most respects after the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
Modi government should review its decision, Editorial: The central government has refused to send a group of Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The rejection of sending the group has been given on the grounds of ‘security reasons’. This is a foolish decision and it should be reviewed.
It is true that the Indian government had cut ties with Pakistan in most respects after the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Despite this, diplomatic relations between the two countries are still intact. The mutual coordination between the two has certainly decreased, but it has not completely ended. The fact that Indian officials have been continuously warning Pakistani officials about the condition of river waters ‘out of humanity’ during the recent floods is a testament to the fact that despite the ultranationalist stance of the central government, especially the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and other organizations affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, a complete breakup between the two countries has not been possible. It is not possible, especially when the two neighbours share a 3323 km long border. The two played a T20 Asia Cup match in the Kit area two days ago and another such match is likely to be played next week. In view of such developments, not allowing Sikh groups to go to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to celebrate his birth anniversary is an unwise move. This gives the impression that the officials of the Union Home Ministry and their political masters are completely unaware of the sensitivities of the Sikh community.
Due to the partition of 1947, more than two dozen historical Gurdwaras, including Sri Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal), remained in Pakistan. Sikh groups have been visiting Pakistan regularly since that year under the Nehru-Liaquat Pact, 1950, on four important festivals or occasions, including the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Apart from Guru Nanak Jayanti, the other three important occasions are: Baisakhi (Khalsa Sajna Diwas), Guru Arjan Dev Shaheed Purab and Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary. After the establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor in November 2019, the Sikhs' visit to Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib is a decision outside the Nehru-Liaquat Pact. (After the Pahalgam terror attack, there have also been breaks on this arrangement). On the above four occasions, apart from the Sikh groups from India, Sikh groups from other countries, especially Canada, America, UK and Australia, also reach Pakistan to visit the Gurusthans. During the dark days of the 1980s to the first half of the 1990s, the Khalistani elements used to take advantage of the visits of Indian groups to Pakistan for anti-India propaganda. But with the passage of time, this trend also decreased. The Pakistani government has also become aware of the negative impact of such propaganda. Therefore, now the situation is not such that Indian pilgrims are in much danger from it. The Pakistani government also has to be very vigilant in this matter. However, if there was any danger, why did the Pakistani High Commission ask the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and other Sikh organizations to start the process of Jatha pilgrimage?
The Shiromani Committee and some other organizations have expressed strong objections to the government decision. This anger is justified. It is true that in June this year, the Shiromani Committee could not send a Sikh Jatha on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The reason for this was that the Pahalgam incident and the Operation Sindhur that followed were still fresh. Because of them, the situation was very bitter. Now the situation is not so uncertain. Therefore, the central government should not show unnecessary stubbornness. The Sikh ministers in the Union Cabinet - Hardeep Singh Puri and Ravneet Singh Bittu - should also approach the Home Ministry and inform the authorities there about the Sikh sensitivities associated with the darshan-deedar of the departed Gurus. It is in the Modi government's own interest to avoid unnecessary controversy and not do anything that will hurt the hearts of the Sikh community.