Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Pakistan Denies Entry to Indian Hindu Pilgrims for Guru Nanak Celebrations
Imagine a big group of people, most of them Sikhs, traveling to Pakistan to celebrate a very important holiday for someone named Guru Nanak.
A small group of 14 people, who were Hindu but originally from Pakistan, also wanted to join this celebration.
They had all their papers and permissions.
However, when they reached the border, Pakistani officials told them they couldn't come because they were Hindu and not Sikh.
Even though they had permission to travel and were going for the same religious event, they were sent back.
This happened during a time when India and Pakistan were already having some difficult diplomatic relations.
Fourteen Indian citizens, who are Hindu pilgrims, were denied entry into Pakistan.
They intended to join a larger Sikh pilgrimage of approximately 2,100 devotees for Guru Nanak's 556th birth anniversary.
Pakistani authorities reportedly refused their entry, allegedly stating 'You are Hindu… you can’t go with Sikh devotees'.
The pilgrims were of Pakistani-origin Sindhi Hindu background who later obtained Indian citizenship.
The incident occurred at the Wagah border amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.
- Who
- Fourteen Indian citizens, who were Pakistani-origin Sindhi Hindus with Indian citizenship.
- What
- Denied entry into Pakistan to participate in Guru Nanak's birth anniversary celebrations.
- When
- Tuesday, during the travel for Guru Nanak's 556th birth anniversary.
- Where
- Wagah border crossing into Pakistan.
- Why
- Pakistani authorities reportedly cited their Hindu religious identity, stating they could not travel with the Sikh pilgrimage group.
Pakistani Authorities
Indian Hindu Pilgrims
Reason for Denial
Pakistani Authorities
Reportedly stated that pilgrims were Hindu and could not travel with the Sikh devotees, citing that 'gurudwaras are only for Sikhs'.
Indian Hindu Pilgrims
Were denied entry despite being cleared to join the pilgrimage for Guru Nanak's birth anniversary celebrations and having completed necessary formalities.
Citizenship and Background
Pakistani Authorities
Did not permit entry to individuals identified as Hindu.
Indian Hindu Pilgrims
Were Pakistani-origin Sindhi Hindus who had since acquired Indian citizenship.
- Number of Indian Hindu Pilgrims Denied Entry
- 14
- Total Pilgrims for Guru Nanak's Birth Anniversary
- Approximately 2,100
- Event
- Guru Nanak's 556th birth anniversary celebrations
- Pilgrimage Destination
- Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan
- Border Crossing
- Wagah border
- Pilgrimage Duration
- 10 days
- Pilgrims' Origin
- Pakistani-origin Sindhi Hindus who acquired Indian citizenship
Sources
'You're Not Sikh': 14 Indian Hindus Denied Entry By Pak On Guru Nanak Jayanti
‘They Said Gurdwaras Are For Sikhs’: Hindus Heartbroken After Pak Denies Entry To Nankana Sahib
Another Shocker From Pakistan: Welcomes Sikh Jatha For Guru Nanak Dev's Birth Anniversary, Shuts Door on Hindus
Pakistan’s petty tricks: Why Indian Hindus, on the way to Nankana Sahib, were turned back from border
‘Go to Your Temples, Gurdwaras Are For Sikhs’: Pakistan Denies Entry To Hindu Pilgrims For Guru Nanak Jayanti At Nankana Sahib
Pakistan denies entry to 14 Hindu pilgrims on Guru Nanak Jayanti visit
‘Pak officials told us you are Hindu, you can’t go with Sikh jatha’, says Hindu pilgrim
Pakistan bars 14 Indians from Nankana Sahib visit, says ‘only Sikhs allowed’
Hindu man 'stopped' from going to Pak with Sikh group
Pakistan denies entry to Hindu pilgrims in Sikh Jatha
'Gurudwaras only for Sikhs'? Indian Hindu pilgrims denied entry to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan
