Don't send Sikh jathas with dubious integrity to Pak, SGPC tells Centre

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged the Centre to send Sikh jathas (groups of pilgrims) to Pakistan only under its aegis to avoid any embarrassment following the surgical strikes by the Army across LoC last month. It has also emphasised on not sending jathas by various Sikh outfits with "having questionable credibility".
"We've been demanding that all Sikh devotees should go on pilgrimage under the leadership of SGPC.Our demand has become more relevant now," SGPC additional secretary D S Bedi told TOI on Wednesday.
A jatha is leaving for Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev from November 12 to 21. "Smaller Sikh groups who lead jathas to Pakistan shirk responsibility in case of mishap or denigration of the Sikhs' identity there," said Bedi. He cited the case of April 2015, when a family of four Indians, which was part of a jatha on a visit to Pakistan taken by Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society for Baisakhi, had gone missing.
Sources informed that despite SGPC's appeal to the Pakistan high commissioner to send all Sikh devotees under its aegis, the Pakistani officials continue to adopt double standards. "Pakistan has a soft corner for Sikh hardliners and has been fanning a Sikh separatist movement. It has also given shelter to many Sikh fugitives. Pakistan government is under pressure from Khalistani elements operating from foreign countries and ISI always looks for soft targets in Indian jathas who can be manipulated and exploited for vested interests," said intelligence sources.
SGPC's demand has become more relevant especially after a recent video of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Zakir Rashid Bhat, who succeeded slain militant commander Burhan Wani, announcing to set up separate group of armed Sikh youths to fight against security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. "This is a very serious announcement given the fact that Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee general secretary Gopal Singh Chawla has close ties with militant leaders, including Hafiz Sayeed of Jamaat-ud-Daawa, and has been spewing venom against India," said sources.Bedi said the Pakistan government had a different policy while issuing visas to Sikh devotees, adding that it was also under the influence of foreign-based Sikh leaders toeing the hardline policy.