Indian Sikh pilgrims have strongly reacted to being barred from traveling to Pakistan by the Indian government.


According to Indian media, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory stopping Sikh pilgrims from going to Pakistan.


Reports state that the Sikh pilgrims were scheduled to travel to Pakistan in November to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.


In response, opposition parties in Indian Punjab as well as Sikh religious leaders have condemned the advisory, saying that if cricket matches can be held with Pakistan, then Sikh pilgrims should also be allowed to visit Pakistan.


Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the central government has no right to interfere with religious freedom. “If Pakistan and India can play cricket matches, then why are Sikh pilgrims being stopped from traveling to Pakistan?” he added.


Meanwhile, former Lok Sabha member Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah to review the decision, saying that denying access to Kartarpur will hurt religious sentiments.


Sukhbir Singh Badal further demanded that the Kartarpur Corridor be reopened.