New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Akali Dal leader and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to reconsider its decision denying permission to the Sikh Jatha (carvan of pilgrims) led by Sri Akal Takhta Jathedar to visit Sri Nakana Sahib in Pakistan citing security and Covid-19 restrictions.
Noting that the MHA has denied the permission to the visiting Sikh community on flimsy grounds, she further said that the 'decision' of MHA has shown disrespect to the highest Sikh temporal seat and that has hurt the Sikh Community worldwide.
Expressing her displeasure, through a series of tweet messages tagged to the MHA, Ms Badal also said 'The 100th anniversary of Saka #NankanaSahib which is linked with Gurudwara Reform Movement holds special significance in the minds of the Sikh community. It should not be denied the opportunity to commemorate the occasion in Pakistan as planned'.
She also said that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah should also open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in keeping with the national and international trend of opening of pilgrimage sites.
'Wonder why Punjab CM@Capt_amarinder is not doing his duty of taking up denial of permission to visit Nankana Sahib &Opening of the Corridor with GOIforcefully,' she said in one of her tweet message.
Citing the COVID-19 pandemic and threat to the security and safety of Indians travelling to Pakistan, the MHA on February 17 refused to grant permission to 600 Sikh pilgrims intending to visit Gurdwaras in Pakistan.
In a communication to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the MHA had said that as per the intelligence input, the security situation in Pakistan continues to be adverse. It also cited the Covid-19 situation prevailing in Pakistan, and added that over five lakh people in Pakistan were affected by the pandemic and 10,000 people lost their lives due to the disease. It also said the health infrastructure in Pakistan was not adequate.
UNI AKS SV 1530