Baba Guru Nanak was the founder
of Sikhism. He was among the first 10 Gurus of Sikhism. His birth is celebrated
all over the world on the “Kartik Pooranmashi”, the full moon day in the month
of Katak. The month of Katak falls among October, November. Nankana Sahib, the
birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak, is the most sacred place for Sikhs. Every year
Sikh from around the globe visit Nankana Sahib, on the shrine of Baba Guru
Nanak.
In Pakistan, every community enjoys its religious freedom. Minorities are also
living in peace and harmony in the country. In Pakistan, the Sikh community is
living their lives with full religious freedom. Every year, Sikhs visit Nankana
Sahib and other sacred places on different occasions. Nearly, 20,000 Sikh
yatrees from all over the world and interior Sindh visited Nankana Sahib this
year. Pakistan provides facilities and welcomes these pilgrims. Along with the
start of Katak month, Sikh pilgrims started visiting Pakistan to participate
549th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. The visits have been started from 21
November to till 30th November. In Pakistan, special facilities have been
provided to the Sikh pilgrims. Special preparation of the celebration of the
birth of Baba Guru Nanak is made.
This year, Pakistan issued approximately 3800 visas to Sikh pilgrims around the
world for the participation in the event. Pakistan took another initiative for
Sikhs this year. Kartarpur corridor has been opened for Baba Guru Nanak’s Birth
anniversary. As Reported by Reuters “The corridor indicates a thaw in relations
between the two nuclear-armed foes”. However, on the Indian side, at times,
seeks to create controversy around these visits. Sikhs of both countries have
happy sentiments in this regard.
On the other hand, minorities along with Sikhs are suppressed in India.
Religious freedom along with personal dignity of lower class Hindus and
minorities is deteriorated by Upper class Hindus. Sikhs are India’s estranged
citizens. They are victims of annihilation and humiliation with the complete
support of Indian Government. They have a grieved history of injustice. The
painful memories of 1984 and lack of justice added fuel to fire when Indian
Commissioner refused to meet Sikh pilgrims. In 2017, India has protested
formally so-called Khalistan related banner displayed at the Gurdawara Punja
Sahib. Subsequently, the Indian side protested that their High Commissioner and
other diplomats were denied access to meet the visiting Sikh pilgrims from India
on three different occasions. India’s act of not meeting pilgrims resulted in
negative publicity of Pakistan. India keeps on propagating against Pakistan.
Writing more! Indian government’s betrayal behavior made Sikhs to develop hatred
towards them. Continued attacks and religious insecurity, confrontation with
upper class Hindus made Sikhs think for separation of Punjab from India. Hence,
the Khalistan movement started. It is noticed that the Indian embassy and
consular officials are barred to enter Gurdawaras in many countries such as
Canada, UK, USA, Italy etc. Earlier, India imposed a ban on Sikhs to travel in
Pakistan. In 2017, Sikhs protested to end the pilgrimage ban on Sikhs. India
keeps on showing tactics against Pakistan by blaming Pakistan for insurgencies
and terrorist activities. On the other hand, it has been proven that India
itself is involved in these activities.
Concluding more! being neighboring countries, India should rectify its past
behavior. India should stop playing against Pakistan. It is need of the hour for
both India and Pakistan to look into social issues of their public. Opening
Kartarpura corridor is a goodwill gesture. But this goodwill gesture should not
be considered as weakness. India should also show goodwill towards Pakistan and
avoid anti-Pakistan policies.