The Indian government on Friday strongly protested with Pakistan over the 'harassment' of High Commission officials in Islamabad and denial of access to Indian pilgrims.
High Commission of India in Islamabad's Consular officials were harassed and denied access to Indian pilgrims at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib and Gurudwara Sacha Sauda on November 21 and 22 November.
"We have also expressed grave concern at reports of attempts being made during the ongoing visit of Indian pilgrims to Pakistan, to incite communal disharmony & intolerance & promote secessionist tendencies with the objective of undermining India’s sovereignty & territorial integrity," said MEA.
The MEA also said that as a result of such harassment, the officials were compelled to return to Islamabad without performing their diplomatic and consular duties vis-a-vis Indian pilgrims.
"Pakistan has been called upon to take all measures to not allow its territory to be used for any hostile propaganda and support for secessionist tendencies against India in keeping with the commitments made under the Simla Agreement, 1972 and endorsed in the Lahore Declaration, 1999," said Ministry of External Affairs.
The MEA also said that Pakistan has been reminded that such actions are not in consonance with the stated intentions of Pakistan to facilitate the visits of Indian Sikh pilgrims, especially as we commemorate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials masquerading as Sikhs stopped the entry of Indian diplomats from Islamabad led by Ranjit Singh (in black Band Gala Suite) and Sunil Kumar. They were also insulted outside the holy place.
In a video, the Indian diplomat, who himself is a Sikh was found saying, "There are many gurudwaras in India and other parts of the world, but there are no restrictions on anywhere. We have witnessed this for the first time that someone is being stopped from entering Guru's House. This is a violation of sanctity of Gurudwara."
When the Indian diplomat asked Pakistani officials to allow them to enter the gurudwara premises as a normal pilgrim, Gopal Singh Chawla, Chairman of Punjabi Sikh Sangat kept arguing with him and asked him to come some other day.
While Pakistan prevented Indian High Commission officials to meet Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan, India recently allowed Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood to travel to `Sirhind Sharif' to take part in the chaddar-laying ceremony, along with the pilgrims from Pakistan.
(With agency inputs)
