**Defying Borders and Tension, First Sikh Jatha Leaves for Nankana Sahib — Faith Prevails Where Politics Falters**
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Amritsar: In a powerful reminder that faith rises above borders and politics, the first Sikh Jatha on Tuesday set out for Attari to cross into Pakistan and participate in the sacred celebrations of Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurdwara Janamsthan, Nankana Sahib.
Despite simmering tensions along the Indo-Pak border and strained diplomatic relations, the spirit of devotion prevailed.
Spiritualism, as this pilgrimage shows, knows no boundaries — neither physical nor political — and cannot be halted by hostility between nations.
For centuries, the Sikh community has journeyed across what is today an international frontier to pay homage at the birthplace of the first Sikh Guru.
That tradition continues, undeterred by present-day challenges.
This year, in a significant policy shift, the Central government permitted only Indian citizens to join the Jatha — a departure from previous years when Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) also participated.
Palwinder Singh, in charge of the SGPC’s Yatra Vibhag, confirmed the decision but said the reasons behind the restriction were not communicated.
Over 2,000 pilgrims will cross the Attari border to offer prayers at historic gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib and Lahore.
Their return is scheduled for November 13, at the conclusion of their week-long spiritual journey. Among them are many first-time pilgrims who have waited years for the opportunity to bow their heads at the sacred birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The government had earlier denied permission for the jatha due to security concerns arising from recent cross-border drone activity.
However, following strong appeals by Sikh organisations, the decision was reviewed, and the pilgrimage was allowed — even symbolically — to uphold the sacred continuity of this centuries-old tradition.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee organized buses to ferry 1,796 devotees from Heritage Street near Sri Harmandir Sahib early Tuesday morning. Additional pilgrims associated with other Sikh bodies are reaching Attari directly.
As the Jatha moved forward, its message was clear: borders may divide nations, but devotion unites hearts.
Faith travels where politics cannot — and no wall, line, or barbed-wire fence can obstruct the path of spiritual longing.
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