For Sikh communities around the globe, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur holds a special place of reverence. Nestled in Pakistan’s Punjab province, just a few kilometers from the Indian border, this shrine is believed to be the final resting place of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Every year, thousands of Sikh pilgrims journey to this sacred site to pay their respects, especially during key religious anniversaries. But this year, the scene is markedly different. Despite the reopening of Kartarpur’s doors after extensive flood repairs, a shadow hangs over the celebrations: Indian Sikhs, who have long made the pilgrimage through the Kartarpur Corridor, are barred from making the journey.
The latest developments come after the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced on September 19, 2025, that it would not permit Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan for religious observances. This decision, widely reported by Pakistani media, has sparked a flurry of criticism and disappointment, not just among Sikhs in India but within the global Sikh diaspora. According to The Express Tribune, the move has particularly stung as it coincides with the death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, scheduled for September 22, an event that traditionally draws thousands of devotees from both sides of the border.
Pakistan’s officials have not minced words in their response. Khel Das Kohistani, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Religious Affairs, called the decision “a violation of human rights.” He emphasized, “Preventing Sikh pilgrims from performing their religious rites is a violation of human rights,” as quoted by Associated Press of Pakistan. Kohistani further lamented the disconnect between India’s willingness to engage in cricket matches with Pakistan while refusing to allow its own citizens to visit Pakistan for religious purposes.
Historically, the annual pilgrimage to Kartarpur has been a rare bridge between two nations often at odds. The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. It allowed Indian Sikhs to visit the Darbar Sahib without a visa, crossing the border for a single day to perform their rituals before returning home. For many, it was more than a passage—it was a symbol of hope, religious tolerance, and the possibility of peaceful coexistence.
But the optimism that greeted the corridor’s opening has since faded. Following a series of diplomatic flare-ups between India and Pakistan, New Delhi suspended use of the corridor for Indian citizens. As of September 19, 2025, that suspension remains firmly in place. The timing couldn’t be more poignant: the reopening of the gurdwara’s doors after flood-induced closure, and the approach of Guru Nanak’s death anniversary, have only heightened the sense of loss among would-be pilgrims.
The closure itself was a result of heavy monsoon rains and subsequent flooding that left the shrine’s premises waterlogged. The Kartarpur Project Management Unit (KPMU) oversaw extensive cleaning and repair works, ensuring the site was ready to welcome visitors again. According to KPMU officials, the gurdwara will reopen on September 20, 2025, but with a twist: initially, entry will be restricted to families only, a precaution designed to prevent overcrowding and allow staff to manage the flow of devotees smoothly.
Despite the reopening, the absence of Indian pilgrims will be keenly felt. The Pakistani government and local Sikh community have expressed their readiness to welcome visitors, and this year’s observances will include a large contingent of Pakistani Sikhs as well as pilgrims traveling from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) confirmed that while international participation remains strong, the void left by Indian Sikhs is impossible to ignore.
“We are still fully ready to welcome the Sikh community,” Kohistani reiterated, underscoring Pakistan’s continued commitment to religious hospitality. His sentiment was echoed by officials from the PSGPC and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), both of whom are scheduled to address the press on September 20. According to The Express Tribune, the press conference will cover preparations for Guru Nanak’s anniversary, the restoration efforts following the floods, and Pakistan’s ongoing concerns regarding India’s restrictions on Sikh pilgrims.
The Indian government’s stance has drawn criticism from Sikh leaders and human rights advocates alike. Many see the decision as emblematic of broader tensions between India’s Hindu-majority government and its religious minorities. “Despite strained relations, India plays cricket with Pakistan but is unwilling to allow its citizens to visit Pakistan for religious purposes,” Kohistani pointed out, highlighting what he and others perceive as a double standard.
For Sikh families in India, the ban is more than a diplomatic maneuver—it’s a deeply personal blow. The pilgrimage to Kartarpur is not just a ritual; for many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey. The corridor’s closure, and now the outright ban on travel, has left many feeling cut off from a vital part of their heritage. The disappointment is palpable, with Sikh organizations in India and abroad voicing their frustration and calling for a reversal of the policy.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has seized the moment to underscore its own commitment to religious freedom. The reopening of the gurdwara, officials say, is a testament to Pakistan’s respect for all faiths and its willingness to facilitate interfaith harmony—even in the face of natural disasters and political obstacles. Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the ETPB Dr. Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, and Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq are all expected to address these themes in their upcoming briefing.
The broader context, of course, is the persistent tension between India and Pakistan—a rivalry that often spills over into every facet of bilateral relations, from sports to trade to religious exchanges. The Kartarpur Corridor was, for a brief moment, a rare exception to the rule. Its closure and the ongoing ban on Indian pilgrims serve as a stark reminder of how fragile such exceptions can be.
As the anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak approaches, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur will once again echo with prayers and hymns. Yet the absence of Indian Sikhs will linger, a silent testament to the enduring power—and the persistent limitations—of faith in a divided region. For now, the hope remains that one day, the corridor will reopen not just in name, but in spirit, allowing pilgrims from both sides to walk its path once again.