DSGMC President S. Harmeet Singh Kalka welcomes Central Government’s nod for Sikh Jatha to visit Sri Nankana Sahib

New Delhi / October 3, 2025
The President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee S. Harmeet Singh Kalka has welcomed the central government’s decision to permit the Sikh jatha to travel to Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
S. Kalka said that, “owing to certain reasons, the Central Government had earlier issued a notification restricting the annual Sikh jatha that visits Pakistan every year on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary. However, that the notification has now been withdrawn”. He added that the DSGMC had, made efforts and engaged with the Central Government and had also written a letter to the Union Home Minister Sh Amit Shah, urging reconsideration of this crucial issue and have also met him personally to apprise about the aspirations and religious ethos attached with the Birth Anniversary of first Guru, who is revered by the Hindus and Muslims as well.
He pointed out that a previous government notification had banned Sikh devotees from undertaking this annual yatra to Pakistan during the sacred celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab. The DSGMC strongly intervened in this matter, drawing the government’s attention to the deep sentiments of the entire Sikh community, who cherish the opportunity to pay obeisance at the birthplace of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji during this holy occasion.
S. Kalka further remarked that if cricket matches can be organized between the two countries, then ensuring proper security arrangements for religious pilgrimages should not be considered an insurmountable challenge.
He informed that, in light of DSGMC’s appeal, the Ministry of External Affairs has now granted approval for the annual pilgrimage, allowing nearly 3,000 devotees to participate in the jatha visiting Sri Nankana Sahib every year, as in the past. He also urged the Sikh pilgrims intending to travel to Pakistan to ensure timely completion of travel permissions and related application forms to facilitate the journey.