Amritsar Pride Parade 2025 cancelled following opposition from Sikh bodies

Amritsar: The ‘Gay Mela’, later renamed as Amritsar Pride Parade-2025, scheduled to be held on April 27 at the Rose Garden in Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar, has been cancelled after strong opposition from Sikh organisations and other groups.

The event was being organised by LGBTQ and allied organisations. However, in a letter that has gone viral on social media, the organisers announced the cancellation, citing the safety of community members and supporters as their top priority.

Ridham Chadha and Ramit Seth, part of the organising team, said the decision was made to ensure the safety and well-being of all those associated with the event.

A day earlier, a video promoting the event had circulated widely on social media, featuring young men and women from the gay community dancing, including turbaned youths. The video triggered backlash from several quarters.

The issue was also raised with the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who condemned the planned event and called it unnatural.