Fremont, CA: The American Sikh Caucus Committee has voiced strong opposition to the Government of India’s decision to prevent Sikh pilgrims from traveling to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan for the 556th Parkash Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
In a letter addressed to Hon. David G. Valadao and Hon. Mary Gay Scanlon, Co-Chairs of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, the Committee described the decision as a troubling violation of religious freedom and an infringement on international norms.
On September 12, 2025, the Indian government issued an advisory citing “prevailing security concerns” to deny permission for Sikh pilgrims to cross into Pakistan.
The Committee noted that this directive prevents thousands of devotees from visiting Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak and a site of profound historical and religious significance.
Dr. Pritpal Singh, Coordinator of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, highlighted that for generations Sikh pilgrims from India have been able to visit Nankana Sahib under bilateral arrangements between India and Pakistan. He stressed that such pilgrimages have helped build interfaith harmony and human connections across borders. The suspension of this tradition, particularly during heightened India-Pakistan tensions, undermines Sikh religious rights and contravenes international covenants such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The letter urged U.S. lawmakers to respond strongly to the situation by pressing India diplomatically to restore pilgrimage access and by reaffirming America’s commitment to protecting religious freedom worldwide. It called on the U.S. Congress to stand with Sikh Americans and ensure equitable treatment of religious minorities seeking access to sacred sites.
Dr. Pritpal Singh commended the Congressional Sikh Caucus for its longstanding leadership on Sikh rights and protections against transnational repression. He said the current denial of pilgrimage permissions demands urgent attention and decisive action to safeguard Sikh religious practices and uphold fundamental freedoms.
The American Sikh Caucus Committee Letter on Nankana Sahib Yatra Ban
![Left to Right: Jagtar Singh Johal, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam [USCIRF Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) prisoners] | File Photos](https://sikhsiyasatnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Jagtar-Singh-Johal-Umar-Khalid-and-Sharjeel-Imam-USCIRF-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-FoRB-prisoners-150x150.jpg)
