Citing the strong sentiments Sikhs attach to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan, Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has written to the Centre, asking for steps to realise a “Kartarpur Sahib corridor” for pilgrims.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Mr. Sidhu said, “The visa wrangles have deprived numerous pilgrims of reaching this gurdwara over the years. The rift between the two neighbours [India and Pakistan] grew so much over the years that even visiting the historical gurdwaras at will became a problem.”
“Now an opportunity has knocked on our doors. Pakistan has shown a positive intent towards the long-pending demand for a ‘Kartarpur Sahib corridor’. Pilgrims and we all have been demanding this corridor for years. Some positiveness came on this issue when I visited Pakistan for the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Now with their Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary categorically saying that the corridor will be opened and even visa won’t be required to visit this as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, it is time for India to take a positive step on this highly emotional issue,” the letter said.
It was in Kartarpur Sahib, now in Pakistan, that Guru Nanak Dev had spent the last 18 years of his life. The Gurdwara is close to the International Border.
