Islamabad, Aug 22
Pakistan's intelligence and security apparatus plans to push certain strategic anti-India narratives during the upcoming visit of Indian Sikh pilgrims, or “jathas,†to the country, a report has cited.
"Social media chatter points to an inter-agency meeting held on August 2 at Hotel Gulbarg in Lahore, attended by representatives from security agencies, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC). While the security agencies reportedly floated the idea of using anti-India banners and slogans at Gurdwaras, both the ETPB and PSGPC strongly opposed the proposal," a report in 'Khalsa Vox' mentioned.
The report stated that an ETPB Additional Secretary warned that politicising the pilgrimage might prompt India to suspend such visits indefinitely, a setback the financially-struggling boards can hardly afford.
It highlighted that social media posts claim the ETPB has already incurred losses of nearly 70 million Pakistani rupees per month since the closure of the Kartarpur Corridor on May 8, a blow further compounded by the cancellation of two major annual Sikh pilgrimages.
According to the report, the ETPB official emphasised that religious events must remain apolitical, adding that pilgrim schedules are already managed in coordination with multiple government and security agencies. He added that while the ETPB would follow federal directives, it was equally important to uphold the sanctity of religious gatherings.
Despite resistance, security agencies have reportedly proposed seminars and interactions near the pilgrims' accommodations to promote their fake narratives. This includes "Indian discrimination against Sikhs, the alleged targetting of Gurdwaras in India, and other contentious claims. Social media posts describe a strategy to amplify these messages via Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok during the pilgrimage," the report detailed.
"Commentary online suggests that Pakistan may be seeking to tap into historical grievances, perceived economic marginalization, and disinformation to sway segments of the Sikh diaspora. Analysts quoted in these posts see the continued intertwining of religious access with political agendas as a calculated -- but risky -- approach," the report noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
At least the ETPB and Sikh committee opposed this nonsense. They understand that mixing politics with religion will only hurt the pilgrims and their own economy. Religious tourism should be kept sacred.
They're losing 70 million rupees monthly since Kartarpur closed? Maybe they should focus on genuine hospitality instead of propaganda. Indian pilgrims bring economic benefits that they clearly need.
As someone who has Sikh friends, I know how important these pilgrimages are to them. It's disgusting that Pakistan would try to use this sacred journey for political messaging. Religious freedom should be respected without conditions.
Our government should monitor this closely. If Pakistan tries to indoctrinate our citizens during religious visits, we might need to reconsider these pilgrimages. Safety and dignity of our people come first.
While I condemn Pakistan's actions, we should also ensure that our Sikh community feels respected and included in India. The best response to such propaganda is to strengthen our own unity and address genuine concerns at home.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.