Chandigarh: The Government of India has decided to allow Sikh jathas to visit Nankana Sahib and other historic Gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of the Parkash Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, scheduled from November 4 to 13, 2025, after having imposed a ban on such travel last month. However, the permission comes with new restrictions that place Sikh yatra (pilgrimage) directly under the scrutiny of state and central intelligence agencies.

On September 12, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued an order denying permission for the pilgrimage, citing security concerns. The move had sparked criticism, and several Sikh organizations made representations to the Centre, urging that Sikh yatras on Guru Nanak Ji’s Parkash Gurpurab must not be obstructed.

New Conditions on Sikh Yatra

According to the latest Office Memorandum issued by the Government of India (copies accessed by Sikh Siyasat News), permission for the yatra has been restored but with strict conditions:

• Applications only via Sikh organizations: States and Union Territories will accept only those applications sponsored by Sikh religious bodies operating in their jurisdiction.
• Mandatory security vetting: Every application must undergo scrutiny by State Police, CID, and state intelligence wings, in consultation with central security agencies, before being forwarded to the MHA.
• Final clearance from Delhi: Only those pilgrims cleared by both the MHA and the Ministry of External Affairs, and subsequently granted visas by Pakistan, will be allowed to join the jatha.
• Ban on direct visa applications: Individuals or jathas submitting papers directly to the Pakistan High Commission will face action under Section 19 of the Passport Act, 1967.
• Movement only as part of designated jatha: Even valid visa holders will not be allowed independent travel; pilgrims must move only as members of the officially cleared jatha through Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari.

Permission or Tighter Control?

While the decision is being presented as the government’s goodwill gesture “keeping in mind Sikh sentiments,” observers point out that the ban-lift has come at the cost of imposing unprecedented restrictions.

Previously, Sikh jathas could directly apply for visas to the Pakistan High Commission. The new rules eliminate that route, making Delhi the ultimate gatekeeper. This effectively transfers decision-making power over Sikh religious pilgrimages into the hands of intelligence and security agencies.

The conditions echo earlier restrictions introduced for devotees using the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, when police verification became mandatory. At that time, Sikh bodies offered little resistance. Now, the same mechanism is being applied more widely to pilgrimages to other shrines, including Nankana Sahib.

There are concerns that these “special conditions” may eventually become permanent policy, narrowing the scope of Sikh pilgrimages to Pakistan. Critics argue that the Delhi establishment is shrinking Sikh religious access to shrines in West Punjab while simultaneously portraying itself as generous for lifting its own restrictions.

The resumption of the Sikh jatha for Guru Nanak Ji’s Parkash Gurpurab is undoubtedly significant, but the new framework of control raises serious questions about the future of Sikh pilgrimage. As things stand, Delhi’s intelligence agencies, rather than Sikh institutions, will now decide who gets to visit Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines.