'Gurudwaras only for Sikhs'? Indian Hindu pilgrims denied entry to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan

A controversy has erupted after a few Hindu pilgrims were denied entry to the Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The authorities of the Pakistani government reportedly told the pilgrims they can not cross the border as gurudwaras are only for Sikhs. Families who were barred said they had all the required documents, but Pakistani officials rejected their visas at the last moment.

A Hindu pilgrim whose family was among those stopped told News 18, "My seven family members’ visas got cancelled. After getting the visa, we reached the Wagah border and completed the immigration process. But once we boarded the bus, Pakistani security personnel asked us to deboard. They said gurdwaras are for Sikhs, not Hindu pilgrims, and finally cancelled our visas."

According to a report by news agency PTI, Pakistani officials told at least 14 Hindus from Delhi and Lucknow that they could not travel with the Sikh group as they weren't a part of the religion.

"Pakistani officials told us you are Hindu, you cannot go with a Sikh jatha," Amar Chand, a devotee who was sent back with six other family members, told PTI.

According to the report, the family of seven, along with another seven people from Lucknow, were sent back, making the total 14.

"Those who have been denied entry by Pakistan authorities are Hindus by faith and basically Pakistanis, and staying in India for long. They are Indian passport holders. They had got clearance from Indian immigration authorities at the Attari-Wagah border check post. When they entered Pakistan, its authorities checked their documents and returned them to the BSF", said an official of the state intelligence wing posted at the border.