LAHORE: The Sikh community led by Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee will hold a rally at Zero Line (Wagah Border) on Tuesday to condemn the Indian blocking of pilgrims twice in June.

The committee held a meeting on Friday to devise a protest strategy against India and, according to some participants, decided to start the campaign from Tuesday. It would be followed by more rallies in all provinces and the federal capital.

The meeting also invited the Sikh community worldwide to join the campaign. “The meeting has condemned the Indian decision which disallowed Sikh pilgrims twice – on June 8 for Shaheedi Jor Mela and then June 28 for participating in Ranjeet Singh’s birthday celebrations,,” ETPB chairman Siddiqul Farooq told the media after the meeting.

Flanked by members of the committee, he said all applicants were given visa, even those who were late in applying were granted it. All arrangements were finalised to welcome the pilgrims. The train was on the Zero Line to fetch them but the Indian side refused to let them cross over at the last moment, spoiling the entire effort..

“The refusal has only exposed Indian secular credentials and the world community, and organisations, need to take note of it. The Indian government is making life difficult for minorities there and blocking of religious pilgrimages only reinforce the impression,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2017