Ranjit Singh Anniversary
Uncertainty looms over the participation of Sikh pilgrims in the upcoming annual commemoration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary in Pakistan, as the Indian government has reportedly imposed restrictions on their travel.
Scheduled for June 30, 2025, the event traditionally draws hundreds of Sikh devotees from India who travel to Pakistan to pay homage to the legendary Sikh ruler at his samadhi located in Lahore.
Security sources indicate that since May 7, 2025, India has enforced a ban preventing Sikh pilgrims from crossing into Pakistan. This move, according to Pakistani officials, signals a troubling escalation in the politicization of religious pilgrimages, especially given the historical and spiritual importance of the occasion to the global Sikh community.
The Pakistani authorities have expressed concern over the Indian government’s actions, alleging that the Modi-led administration is not only obstructing religious freedom but also attempting to exert political pressure on Pakistan by restricting its own minority population.
The restrictions have been perceived by many as an extension of India’s broader policy of marginalizing minority groups, particularly the Sikhs.
Further exacerbating the situation is the reported closure of the Kartarpur Corridor, a vital cross-border passage that enables Indian Sikhs to visit one of their holiest sites—Gurdwara Darbar Sahib—without requiring a visa.
The corridor has long been hailed as a landmark of religious diplomacy between the two countries. Its closure has caused deep disappointment and anguish within the Sikh community, both in India and abroad.
Reports have also surfaced regarding heightened crackdowns in Sikh-majority areas within India. These include alleged attacks on Sikh neighborhoods and attempts to damage religious sites, raising alarm among human rights groups and drawing criticism from various Sikh leaders. Such actions are increasingly being viewed as part of a troubling pattern of religious intolerance.
The controversy has sparked calls for the Indian government to reconsider its stance and uphold the principles of religious freedom and minority rights.
As the date of the commemoration draws near, Sikh organizations across the globe are urging international intervention to ensure that the pilgrims are allowed to fulfill their spiritual obligations in peace and without political interference.
