Punjab

Sikhs to mark Guru Nanak anniversary

Decision on the participation of Sikh pilgrims from different countries yet to be taken

Our Correspondent September 06, 2020

An Indian Sikh devotee plays a musical instrument as he walks with Punj Pyara holding flags of the Sikh religion during a procession from Sri Akal Takhat at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on November 5, 2014 on the eve of the 545th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE:

The preparations for the 551st birth anniversary and 481st death anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak, have commenced.

Reportedly, the decision on the participation in the events of Sikh pilgrims from different countries, including India, will be taken in coming weeks.

Indian pilgrims would be invited to participate if the Pak-India border would be opened.

India will also be asked to open the Kartarpur Corridor in September so that Sikh pilgrims can visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and perform rituals on the birth anniversary.

The death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak will be observed from September 20 to 22. Local Sikh associations will be able to participate.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee(PSGPC) head Sardar Satwant Singh told The Express Tribune that various proposals have been considered for preparations for Baba Guru Nanak's 551st birth anniversary

He said Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr Amir Ahmad had presided over a meeting in this regard, in which he and other Sikh and Hindu leaders and officials of the board participated.

“Now we are going to celebrate Baba Guru Nanak's birthday as coronavirus is now somehow controlled in Pakistan but the danger is not over yet,” he said.

He also stated that the Pak-India border was closed due to coronavirus.

“If the borders are opened in September, then Indian Sikh pilgrims may be invited to attend but the final decision will be made later,” he said.

The sources revealed that PSGPC has demanded from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Indian government to send groups to Pakistan on the 551st birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak this year. The PSGPC has also demanded that the Kartarpur Corridor be reopened before Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary in November. Pakistan had opened the Kartarpur Corridor on June 29 but India has not yet allowed pilgrims to come to Pakistan, as per reports.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2020.