To commemorate the first anniversary of the Kartarpur corridor, Dal Khalsa organized a gathering of activists and Sikh devouts on the Indian side of the Kartarpur Corridor site near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur and resolved to urge India to reopen the historic corridor prior to the 551st anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib Gurpurab on 30 November 2020.

AMIDST HUNDREDS OF SIKHS HOLDING PLACARDS AND BANNERS URGING INDIA TO FOLLOW SUIT WITH PAKISTAN, DAL KHALSA has called for an early reopening of the Kartarpur corridor. Terming the Kartarpur corridor as a symbol of faith and bonds, Dal Khalsa, Akal Federation and other groups and prominent personalities urged the Indian government to reopen this historic pilgrims’ pathway.

With a show of hands, the Sikh Sangat passed a resolution to be sent to the government of India seeking reopening of the Kartarpur corridor prior to the Parkash Purab -the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib on 30 November.

Making his public appearance after long, former Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti presided over the function and commended the gathering for their commitment to refocus on the opening of the Kartarpur corridor.

Former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh and Panthak Coordination Committee co-convenor Advocate Jaswinder Singh also joined the gathering and spoke on the occasion. Activist-scholar Dr Sukhpreet Singh also presented his views and provided a historic perspective for the congregation which received a spirited response.

The Kartarpur corridor stays closed since March 16 for COVID19 reasons. Sikhs from India rue the fact that while life otherwise is working normally, the Indian side of the Kartarpur corridor remains shut to Sikh pilgrims on its first anniversary, said Harpal Singh Cheema president of the Dal Khalsa while addressing the gathering.

He said Covid19 can’t be an excuse to keep the corridor operation suspended anymore. Guru Nanak’s 551st Parkash Purab is slated to be on November 30, so the government must re-open the pathway before the Gurpurab respecting the religious sentiments of all Nanak Naam Leva Sangat.

Speaking on the occasion, chief of the United Akali Dal -Gurdeep Singh Bhatinda said prominent pilgrimage sites across the world as well as in the country, which had been partially or fully closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic had been reopened and it is time that this historic site is also reopened without delay.

Reiterating their call, Kanwar Pal Singh said, “In the wake of the COVID19 pandemic out­break, the journey across the Kartarpur Corridor was temporarily suspended on 16 March and even though the Pakistan side opened it in June, India continues its delaying tactics and has yet to revoke the suspension, even when the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Harpreet Singh and Sikh religious and political leadership has also urged the government to do so.”

Akal Federation convenor Narien Singh said after a long struggle the dream of Sikhs had turned into reality last year. Significantly, even at the time of the opening of the corridor, the initiative was taken by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and India had responded. India needs to repeat this as Sikhs eagerly await the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor.