Overview
- The Home Ministry’s September 12 advisory instructed Punjab, Delhi, J&K, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to stop processing applications for November pilgrimages to Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur.
- Officials cited an elevated threat environment following the April Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent operations, with the Kartarpur Corridor shut from the Indian side since May and Attari–Wagah travel curbed.
- The SGPC had already gathered passports and filed visa applications with the Pakistan High Commission in July for a 10‑day jatha for Guru Nanak’s Parkash Gurpurab.
- Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, the SGPC, Akal Takht leaders, SAD and Congress urged the Centre to review the order and reopen Kartarpur, questioning the resumption of India–Pakistan cricket as pilgrimages are blocked.
- BJP national spokesperson R P Singh defended the advisory as based on security inputs and pressed who would be accountable if pilgrims were harmed, and no rollback of the directive has been announced.