COVID-19 test mandatory for Sikhs aspirant of observing Saka Nankana’s centenary in Pakistan

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—As per the latest information available by the SGPC, the Pakistani High Commission has mandated the Covid-19 test of the Sikh pilgrims aspirant to mark Saka Nankana’s centenary at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The Sikh pilgrims aspirant to mar this historic occasion in Pakistan would have to undergo the Covid-19 test within 72 hours before February 18.

It is pertinent to note here that the 100th anniversary of Saka Nankana is being observed at Nankana Sahib through religious events. The Indian Sikh pilgrims will be granted visas from February 18 to February 25 to attend these religious events in Pakistan.

In a press note shared with Sikh24, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur informed that the SGPC organizes a Covid-19 test camp at its headquarters on February 15 and 16. “All those, who have deposited their passports for visa stamping, can get their tests done,” she said while adding that the aspirant pilgrims can also get their done in other private or public laboratories according to their convenience.  

Thousands of Sikhs from India are likely to attend the religious events about Saka Nankana in Pakistan.

Last month, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had announced the following tentative schedule for the Indian Sikh pilgrims from its office at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore.

According to this schedule, the Sikh pilgrims from India will enter Pakistan via the Wagah border on February 18 and enroute Nankana Sahib straight forward. 

On February 19, they will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda and stay back at Nankana Sahib until February 20. 

On February 21, they will attend the central religious event about Saka Nankana at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib. 

They will return to India on February 25 after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal), Gurdwara Sri Dehra Sahib (Lahore) Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib on February 22, 23, and 24, respectively. 

Letter issued by PSGPC chief Satwant Singh

Saka Nankana Sahib is the massacre in Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib on 20 February 1921, at that time of British India, in modern-day Pakistan. More than 260 Sikhs were martyred, the youngest of them being a little short of eight years, Sardar Darbara Singh, son of Sardar Kehar Singh, by the Mahant and his mercenaries. The event forms an important part of Sikh history. The saga constitutes the core of the Gurdwara Reform Movement started by the Sikhs in the early twentieth century.

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