Chandigarh, Sept. 16 -- Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday hit out at the BJP-led central government for refusing permission to Sikh jathas (groups of pilgrims) to visit Pakistan for the Sikhism founder, Guru Nanak's Parkash Gurpurab in November, accusing the government of "double standards."

Questioning the Centre's advisory, Mann asked when a cricket match between India and Pakistan was allowed during the Asia Cup, why the Sikh jathas were being denied the opportunity to pay obeisance at their shrines. He said that it was difficult to understand whether the BJP's policy was against Pakistan or against its own people, alleging that the decision reflected their 'hostile attitude' towards Punjab.

"They should either allow all kinds o...