DERA BABA NANAK, Punjab—Days after snapping ties with the BJP over anti-farmer agriculture laws, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leaders today organized gurbani kirtan and ardas near India-Pakistan international border to pray for the reopening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor by the Indian government.
Led by former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, the SAD (B) leaders gathered outside the Integrated Check Post (ICP) of the corridor for this cause. This is for the first time that leaders of this party which claim itself the only representative political party of the Sikhs, voiced for this cause after Pakistan announced to reopen the corridor.
They demanded reopening of the corridor to facilitate pilgrims seeking to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, which is the last resting place of Guru Nanak Sahib, on his 551th Prakash Purab falling next month. ‘Kirtan’ which was performed on the site followed by an ‘ardas’ beseeching Waheguru to reopen the ‘corridor of peace’ in keeping with the sentiments of the ‘sangat’ from across the world.
Briefing newsmen on the occasion, Majithia said now that the Pakistan government had given the go-ahead for reopening of the corridor the Union government of India should also accord permission for the same. He said while the SAD (B) had come here today along with devotees to perform ‘ardas’ and pray for reopening of the corridor, it would also make a formal request to the centre for the same soon. He said the Punjab government should also adopt a positive role to facilitate early reopening of the corridor.
He said Sikhs from across India and the world wished to visit Kartarpur Sahib next month to participate in the 551th Parkash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Sahib. He said devotees also wanted to visit the shrine to connect with the hallowed area where Guru Nanak tilled the land for eighteen years. “It is unfortunate that the governments of the day are running down this hallowed profession while calling for giving due respect to the farmer who is responsible for sustaining life”, he said.
The SAD (B) leader said all prominent pilgrimage sites across the world which had been partially or fully closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic including Mecca had been reopened. He said religious shrines across the country had also reopened. “The union government should likewise give permission for reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor in keeping with the sentiments of the Sikh community”.
Other leaders also participated in the religious function, including Virsa Singh Valtoha, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, Gurbachan Singh Babehali, Ravikaran Singh Kahlon and Sarabjot Singh Sabi.
In view of the Covid-19 outbreak that has engulfed the entire world, the home ministry of India had suspended the pilgrimage through the corridor from March 16 this year. On the other hand, all the worship places including Kartarpur Sahib had been closed to the public in Pakistan as well due to the outbreak.
After more than three months, the Pakistan government offered to reopen the corridor on June 29, 2020, the occasion of the death anniversary of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, conveyed to the Indian side their readiness to reopen the corridor, through a tweet on 27 June. On October 1, Pakistan issued formal notification to reopen the corridor from its side. However, the Indian government is adamant to keep the pilgrimage suspended citing Covid-19 protocol, despite it allowed to reopen the worship places in the country several weeks ago.
