A 64-year-old Indian national, identified as Dev Singh Sidhu from Amritsar, Punjab, tragically passed away at the Wagah-Attari border while returning from a religious pilgrimage in Pakistan. Sidhu was among over 450 Sikh pilgrims who had traveled to Pakistan to participate in the 185th death anniversary ceremonies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and to perform religious rites, according to a report by The Express Tribune.
During the return journey with fellow pilgrims, Sidhu reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack at the Indian immigration hall. Despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived, the report detailed. Last week, hundreds of Sikhs had traveled from India to Lahore to partake in the festivities commemorating Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s legacy.
One of the highlights of the pilgrimage was the unveiling of the restored nine-foot-tall bronze statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Kartarpur Sahib. This statue, originally installed near his ‘samadhi’ at the Lahore Fort in 2019, had been previously vandalized twice by activists of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The restoration and reinstallation of the statue symbolize the enduring respect and admiration for Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who founded the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century and played a pivotal role in the history of Punjab and the Indian subcontinent.
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The pilgrimage and the commemorative events underscored the deep cultural and religious ties between India and Pakistan’s Sikh communities, despite occasional challenges and tensions. The passing of Dev Singh Sidhu serves as a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices and deep emotional connections that often accompany religious pilgrimages across borders.
As both countries continue to navigate complex diplomatic and cultural relations, the incident at Wagah-Attari border highlights the shared reverence for historical figures like Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the significance of religious pilgrimages in fostering cultural understanding and mutual respect.