The tension is over… but Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is still not open!
Rising above political differences, the governments of both the countries should make concrete arrangements to keep the corridor open permanently and without any hindrance.
Sri Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) is not just a geographical place or a religious building, but it is a precious center of faith, history, devotion and cultural heritage of the Sikh community living all over the world. This is the holy land where Jagat Guru, Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life. It was here that Guru Sahib presented the universal teaching of ‘Kirt Karo, Naam Japo, Te Vand Chhoko’ in practical form before the world and for the first time strengthened the practice of Sikh Sangat and Pangat.
Because of this historical and spiritual significance, every Gursikh has a burning desire to visit this holy place during his lifetime. In the Sikh prayer, the daily request to “forgive the Khalsa ji the open darshan-deedar and service-maintenance of those Gurdwaras, Gurdhams, which have been separated from the cult”, the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib is a visible outline of that prayer.
After the attack on tourists in Pahalgam last year, during the bitter relationship between India and Pakistan, the Indian government severed transport, trade and diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Accordingly, the Kartarpur Sahib corridor was closed. After the tension between India and Pakistan and Operation Sindhur, the Indo-Pak border was completely closed. Of course, after the passing of the year due to the slight relaxation given by the Government of India, continuous groups are coming from India to visit Sri Nankana Sahib and other Gurudhams. But the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which was closed due to this tension, has not opened yet
Jathedar Akal Takht’s appeal about opening the intersection
The acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has also demanded from both the governments of India and Pakistan to open the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Jathedar Gargaj said that the governments of India and Pakistan should open the corridor of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib soon which has been closed for the last one year. Due to the closure of the corridor, the Sikh community is deprived of visiting the house of Guru Nanak Dev.
It has to be mentioned that in the past, a special prayer ceremony was organized by the devotees to open the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib permanently and without any administrative or political obstacles. Devoted to this event, a huge and huge caravan of Guru Nanak Naam Lewa Sangats left for Sri Kartarpur Corridor (Dera Baba Nanak) with full zeal and devotion.
The caravan consisted of elders, women, youths and children, whose faces clearly showed immense respect for the Guru-ghar and a hope for a permanent solution to the crossing. The caravan reached the historic Gurdwara Sahib near the corridor, where a prayer ceremony was held as per the norms.
During the event, after the recitation of Dhur Ki Bani by the Wazir of the Guru Ghar, Bhai Arshdeep Singh Ji in the presence of the entire Sangat, a prayer was offered with great spirituality and devotion at the feet of the Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In this collective prayer, while wishing for ‘all the good’, it was also highly requested before the Guru Sahib that this holy corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib should remain open forever so that no devotee can be deprived of the darshan of their Guru.
After the conclusion of the prayer, Panthic thinkers, religious leaders and prominent speakers shared their views with the Sangat. The speakers, while browsing the pages of history, said that Sri Kartarpur Sahib is the land where Guru Nanak Dev Ji had shown the path of ‘true labor’ by cultivating it with his own hands. Every grain of soil of this place bears witness to Sikh history.
The speakers very seriously emphasized that “unhindered access to one’s religious places is a fundamental and universal human right of every human being.” Religious freedom has also been given priority in the United Nations Charter. Therefore, it is not permissible to impose any kind of restrictions, complicated procedures or temporary restrictions on pilgrims for the darshan of Sri Kartarpur Sahib. The corridor should remain open forever without any hindrance.
A major appeal to the governments of India and Pakistan
A strong and joint appeal was made from the platform of this event to the governments of both countries, India and Pakistan. The devotees and leaders said that the direct impact of the ups and downs in the political relations of the two countries is often seen on this corridor, which is very unfortunate. The governments of both countries should sincerely respect the beliefs and feelings of crores of Nanak-Naam Leva devotees. The process (such as passport requirement, fees and online registration) for pilgrims going through the corridor should be simplified.
The corridor should not be sacrificed for political or diplomatic differences between the two countries. It should be kept as a permanent bridge of peace and trust.
Historical background of the corridor and current challenges
This corridor was launched with the consent of both the countries on the historic occasion of 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the year 2019. It was a historic moment for the Sikh world, which wiped away the tears of the pilgrims who had been watching darshan through binoculars at the border for a long time.
However, it has been seen from time to time that sometimes technical glitches, sometimes strict visa/passport conditions, and sometimes border tensions affect the number of pilgrims. Even during the Corona period, this corridor was kept closed for a long time. The devotees demand that such concrete rules be made now that this corridor is not closed under any circumstances in the future and that its operation continues continuously (24/7).
Let us tell you that the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib is very important not only for today’s congregation, but also to keep the coming generations connected with its rich heritage. When our children and youth visit this holy land and see the fields, wells and that spiritual environment with their own eyes, they will be able to understand the basic principles of Sikhism more deeply. This corridor is the biggest symbol of peace, mutual brotherhood and religious tolerance in the world.
This special prayer held to permanently open the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib is proof of the immense attraction that the hearts of Sikhs have for their Gurdwaras. This voice has now become the voice of not just a border area, but of every person sitting in the whole world who believes in the philosophy of Baba Nanak.
Now the ball is in the court of the governments of both the countries. They should accept this sacred and legitimate demand of the devotees and implement a permanent international agreement to keep the corridor of Sri Kartarpur Sahib open forever, unhindered and permanently.
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