Punjab Outlook

Nanded Sahib-The Punjab government’s pilgrimage scheme may be intended to provide people an opportunity to visit important religious and historical places, but an important question needs to be asked: Does the scheme have a clearly defined code of conduct for pilgrims, and if so, is it actually being enforced? A pilgrimage is fundamentally different from an ordinary tourist excursion. When people visit historic gurdwaras and other sacred places, they are entering spaces that carry generations of faith, sacrifice and history. Such visits should therefore be accompanied by a basic understanding of religious etiquette, appropriate dress, discipline and respect for the sanctity of the place. Unfortunately, concerns are increasingly being raised about the behaviour of some pilgrims.

Loud conversations, inappropriate or casual conduct inside sacred premises, disregard for dress expectations and treating religious sites as tourist attractions rather than places of worship can undermine the very purpose of a pilgrimage. The issue is not about judging individuals; it is about ensuring that everyone understands the environment they are entering and behaves accordingly. Photography is an even more obvious example. Where a gurdwara or religious authority has clearly displayed that photography is prohibited, those instructions must be respected. Visitors cannot claim ignorance when signs are clearly visible, and volunteers or staff repeatedly request them to stop.

Religious institutions have their own rules for legitimate reasons, and following those rules should be considered a basic responsibility of every visitor. The presence of an official identification card around a pilgrim’s neck should not become the only measure of participation in a government-sponsored pilgrimage. If public money is being spent to facilitate these journeys, the government also has a responsibility to ensure that participants receive proper orientation before they travel. There should be a simple and clearly communicated code of conduct covering dress, photography, noise, cleanliness, behaviour inside gurdwaras, respect for religious ceremonies and instructions from sevadars and management committees. Short briefings in Punjabi and other relevant languages could be provided before departure, while trained coordinators could accompany groups and explain the historical and religious significance of the places being visited. This would not diminish the freedom of pilgrims.

It would make the pilgrimage more meaningful. The government should also work with the concerned gurdwara managements and religious institutions rather than treating the programme simply as a transportation or tourism initiative. A pilgrimage should create awareness of Sikh history and values, not merely produce photographs and memories from a government-funded trip. Ultimately, the question is simple: If the government is willing to spend public money to take people on pilgrimage, shouldn’t it also take responsibility for educating them about how to conduct themselves once they arrive? A pilgrimage is not merely a free journey to a religious destination. It is a journey into faith, history and sacrifice and that deserves respect.