The Kartarpur
Sahib Corridor — the route to the revered Sikh shrine Gurudwara Darbar Saheb in
Pakistan — will reopen Wednesday, two days prior to the birth anniversary of
Guru Nanak, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on Twitter on Tuesday. The Centre
said it was taking the decision to benefit large number of Sikh pilgrims.
“This decision
reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and
our Sikh community,” the home minister tweeted.
Prior to the Centre taking the call to reopen Kartarpur Sahib, a number of Sikh leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, had called upon the Centre to reopen the route to the shrine before Gurupurab — the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
On Tuesday, before the Centre announced its decision, Captain Amarinder Singh, who is expected to float a new party soon to contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Punjab and may even tie up with the BJP, wrote on Twitter: “I urge Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to open the Kartarpur Corridor before Nov 19, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, so that people can pay obeisance to the holy shrine on the sacred occasion.”
Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu wrote: “I urge GOI to reopen Kartarpur Corridor to create a new Darshan Asthan for khule darshan didar for all and to cancel the 3 farm laws on Shri Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab, as its a day for reflection, rediscovery and reiteration of Gurus message of peace, harmony and universal brotherhood.”
After the Centre abided by their request and announced the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor open on Wednesday, Amarinder Singh wrote, “My profound gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah for the timely opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. It will provide a chance to thousands of devotees to pay obeisance at the holy shrine on the occasion of Guru Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted: “Welcome step…The reopening of the Corridor of infinite possibilities…invaluable gift for Nanak naam levas…may the corridor of the Great Guru remain open eternally to shower blessings on one and all…Sarbat da bhala.”
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was closed in March 2020 after Pakistan imposed restrictions on travel from India due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Last year, as the pandemic was brought under control, Pakistan expressed willingness to reopen the corridor on June 27.
