For many Sikhs around the world, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is a time of deep spiritual reflection and joyous celebration. But this year, the occasion has been overshadowed by a contentious decision from the Indian government, which on September 12, 2025, announced it would deny permission for Sikh pilgrims to cross into Pakistan for the commemorative events. Citing security concerns, New Delhi's move has ignited a wave of frustration and disappointment among Sikh leaders, opposition politicians, and religious organizations on both sides of the border.
According to the Associated Press, Mahesh Singh, vice president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee—the official body managing Sikh shrines in Pakistan—was among the first to publicly urge New Delhi to lift the ban. He described the decision as a violation of international norms and moral values, echoing the sentiments of many in the Sikh community. “The doors of Pakistan are open for Indian Sikh pilgrims,” Singh emphasized, adding that Pakistan is prepared to issue visas through its high commission in New Delhi if the Indian government reverses course.
This year’s ban is particularly painful for thousands of Indian Sikhs who had planned to participate in the weeklong celebration in November, marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The event is traditionally held at the revered Kartarpur Sahib shrine in Pakistan’s Narowal district, just 4.5 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border. The shrine, considered the second-holiest site in Sikhism, holds immense religious significance, as it is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak himself.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which manages Sikh places of worship in India, has also condemned the ban, saying it deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. Bhagwant Mann, chief minister of Punjab state, voiced sharp criticism at a press conference on September 15, accusing the Indian central government of double standards. Mann pointed out that while New Delhi recently allowed a cricket match between India and Pakistan to go ahead, it simultaneously prohibited a religious pilgrimage. “If India and Pakistan can play cricket matches, Sikhs should also be allowed to visit Pakistan for religious observances,” echoed prominent Sikh leader Gyani Harpreet Singh on social media platform X.
The decision comes at a time of heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Diplomatic ties have been strained for months, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and subsequent tit-for-tat missile strikes. Both countries responded by downgrading diplomatic relations and suspending visa services, making cross-border travel nearly impossible for ordinary citizens. While a U.S.-brokered cease-fire has prevented further escalation, the diplomatic freeze remains firmly in place, and travel restrictions have become the norm rather than the exception.
Despite these difficulties, Pakistani officials have consistently reiterated their willingness to welcome Indian Sikh pilgrims under existing arrangements. Ghulam Mohiuddin, a Pakistani government official, told CNBCTV18 that preparations are underway to host pilgrims at Kartarpur Sahib. He noted that arrangements for lodging and food are being finalized for Sikh pilgrims traveling from India and abroad, and if New Delhi lifts the ban, a record number of Indian Sikhs could visit Kartarpur this year.
The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, was once hailed as a major breakthrough in religious diplomacy between the two countries. The visa-free crossing allows thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur shrine daily without the usual bureaucratic hurdles. The corridor was seen as a rare symbol of cooperation, enabling families and communities separated by the 1947 partition to reconnect with their spiritual heritage. Many of Sikhism’s holiest sites, including Kartarpur, ended up on the Pakistani side after the partition of British India, making access a perennial issue for devotees.
However, the situation has been further complicated by recent natural disasters. In August 2025, the Narowal district was hit by devastating monsoon floods, with water released from overflowing Indian dams inundating the area. At one point, the Kartarpur shrine itself was submerged under up to six meters (20 feet) of water, threatening to derail the upcoming celebrations entirely. Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif responded swiftly, ordering the water to be drained and the site restored. Remarkably, the shrine was reopened for worship and visits within a week—an effort that was widely praised by Sikh leaders and Pakistani officials alike.
For many in the Sikh community, the Indian government’s ban feels like an unnecessary and deeply personal blow. “The decision violates religious freedom and international norms,” Mahesh Singh told Associated Press, underscoring the widespread sense of injustice. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee called on the government to reconsider, warning that the move could set a troubling precedent for religious minorities across the region.
Opposition leaders have seized on the controversy, accusing the central government of playing politics with matters of faith. Punjab’s chief minister Bhagwant Mann did not mince words, telling reporters that the government’s actions reflect a troubling inconsistency. “Why allow sporting events but not religious pilgrimages?” he asked rhetorically, a question now being echoed by Sikhs worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani side continues to extend an olive branch. “The doors of Pakistan are open for Indian Sikh pilgrims,” Mahesh Singh reiterated, while Ghulam Mohiuddin confirmed that visas would be granted through Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi, should India change its stance. According to Pakistani officials, the infrastructure and hospitality needed to accommodate the influx of pilgrims are already in place, and they remain hopeful that a diplomatic breakthrough could salvage this year’s celebrations.
The broader context of the dispute underscores the enduring complexities of India-Pakistan relations. The two countries have a long history of conflict, with religious and cultural ties often caught in the crossfire. The Kartarpur Corridor was supposed to be a step toward healing old wounds, but the latest ban has reminded many just how fragile such progress can be.
For now, thousands of Sikhs in India and abroad are left in limbo, their hopes pinned on a last-minute reversal by New Delhi. As November approaches, the pressure on the Indian government is mounting, with religious leaders, opposition politicians, and international observers all watching closely. Will the spirit of religious freedom and diplomacy prevail, or will security concerns and political rivalries continue to dictate the terms of cross-border engagement?
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: the longing for spiritual connection and the right to worship transcends borders, even when politics threatens to stand in the way.