PSGPC to move UN over denial to jatha
AMRITSAR: As anger among the Pakistani Sikhs continues to grow after the Indian Government denied permission to Sikh Jathas to visit Pakistan for security reasons, the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee ( PSGPC) has decided to raise the matter at the United Nations.
The Centre had denied permission to a 251-member Sikh delegation to visit Pakistan on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ruler of the 19th century Sikh empire, citing security reasons, the SGPC said on Wednesday. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)-sponsored delegation was scheduled to visit Pakistan from June 21-29.
PSGPC chief Tara Singh said the Indian government’s move had angered the Sikh community in Pakistan. Hundreds of Sikhs under the aegis of the PSGPC protested against the Indian government in Lahore on Friday.
“During the previous regime of Dr Manmohan Singh, Sikh jathas faced no problems. However, in the current Modi regime, Sikh pilgrims who want to visit Pakistan for pilgrimage are facing problems,” he claimed.
“Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Kirpal Singh Badungar and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh must intervene and raise the issue with their government. We will continue our protests,” he said, adding that he also appealed to Sikhs living in other nations to condemn the Indian government’s move.
During the regime of Dr Manmohan Singh, Sikh jathas faced no problems. TARA SINGH, PSGPC chief