Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjeet Singh Sarna requested the Pakistan government on Tuesday to allow Sikh pilgrims to visit their religious places located in the neighbouring country without passport and visa.
“When a Kashmiri from India is allowed to enter on the basis of a certificate issued by an SDM to visit Pakistan, then why is a Sikh not allowed to visit religious places in Pakistan? We request them to allow us enter without passport or visa,” said Sarna in a press conference.
Sarna also revealed that he has received a letter from Pakistan government giving DSGMC permission for taking up any renovation work in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Lahore and Babay-de-Bairee in Sialkot. “We had requested the Pakistan government to allow us to take up renovation work in our Gurdwaras there. We managed to get permission now as I received a letter in this regard signed by Deputy Secretary Shrines Evacuee Trust Property Board, Government of Pakistan, Syed Faraz Abbas,” said Sarna.
Under attack from opposition parties for mismanagement, Sarna challenged them, particularly Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) to discuss any issue concerning the gurdwara committee and the Sikh community. “They are talking of the education standard of the Guru Harkishan Public School being run by the DSGMC. The standard of a school can be judged only by admission seekers. The school is in high demand and better than schools run by other parties,” Sarna defended.
Sarna also attacked Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal. “From 1978 to 2012 SAD (Badal) president Parkash Singh Badal had violated the directions of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib eight times. But instead of correcting itself, the Badal group keeps throwing mud on the good work of others,” said Sarna.