Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have taken a strong exception to the ban imposed by Pakistan on nagar kirtans (religious processions) citing security reasons. They have said the decision was a direct interference into the religious freedom of the minority community in the neighbouring country. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said it was unfortunate that Sikhs were not allowed to take out a procession with the Guru Granth Sahib placed in a decorated palanquin on the eve of Guru Nanaks 541st birth anniversary. We ask the Indian government to take up the matter with Pakistan. The ban should be immediately lifted, he added. In a separate statement,SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar condemned the Pakistan governments decision,saying it was playing with the sentiments of Sikhs. He said Sikh devotees had gathered at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan,the birth place of Guru Nanak to take out a nagar kirtan,and it was condemnable that they were not allowed to take out a religious procession.
