Sindhi Sikhs return home after pilgrimage

[Gul Agha <agha@CS.UIUC.EDU>]

Excerpted from
http://www.onlypunjab.com/latest/fullstory-newsID-1916.html

Jatha returns with fond memories from Pakistan
Publish Date : 9/13/2004 9:15:00 AM   Source : Onlypunjab.com Team

A mammoth 970-member Sikh jatha, after its 18-day visit, here returned
today with a message of 'real taste of freedom.'

Mr Hari Singh (85) jathedaar of Gurdwara Baba Nanak Shah, Dharki
[Ddaharikii] in Sindh said they were overwhelmed to be here on the
historical occasion of celebration of 400th year of installation of
Guru Granth Sahib in the holy city.

Mr Ishwar Singh (90) echoed his sentiments Mr Taru Singh (22), head of
the jatha and youngest member nominated on the 10-member committee of
Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (PSGPC), said that their
visit to various gurdwaras like Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib,
Fatehgarh Sahib, Macchiwada Sahib, Baba Bakala Gurdwara had been
memorable....

He lamented that they wanted to take 20 holy 'birs' to Pakistan this
time but special arrangements conforming to 'rehat maryada' could not
be made.  Similarly at least 15 'swaroops' that were to be brought to
India for cremation as, per maryada, could not be brought Pakistan had
no 'sthan' for their cremation.

Mr Vijay Kumar, a Sindhi Pakistani Hindu who adopted 'gurbani', said
any action in India has repercussions on minorities in Pakistan. He
was quick to add that President Pervez Musharaff was one of the
tolerant leaders.

Ms Vidhya Sukar, who was able to meet her brother Tola Ram, who
arrived here from Gujarat to meet her, was overjoyed and urged for
easier visa restrictions to meet relatives from either countries.

Mr. Roshan S Bhardwaj urged the Indian Government to allow Pak Hindus
and Sikhs to freely visit their places of worship here and not
restrict Punjab, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir as prohibited states
for them...