CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president Sukhbir Badal has written a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to reopen Kartarpur Sahib corridor ahead of the 551st Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Sahib. Notably, the Kartarpur corridor has been lying closed since March 16 due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
In the letter, Sukhbir has tried to apprise Narendra Modi with sentiments of Sikhs who are keen to celebrate Guru Nanak Sahib’s 551st Parkash Purab at his final resting place.
Sukhbir Badal has also sought visa-free pilgrimage to Kartarpur so that Sikhs lacking passports could also pay obeisance at this historic Sikh shrine.
“…prominent pilgrimage sites across the world which were partially or fully closed due to Covid-19 pandemic have been reopened. There is an overwhelming sentiment in the Sikh community that the Kartarpur corridor should also be reopened at the earliest…” he wrote in the letter while asking Indian PM to direct the Land Port Authority of India to reopen the corridor.
It is pertinent to note here that the SAD (Badal) is becoming vocal on Sikh issues after losing ties with BJP under the pressure of farmers’ struggle against draconian laws pertaining to the procurement of farm products.
However, it has severely failed in addressing the grievances of the Sikh community on the issue of missing 328 holy saroops and sacrilege incidents.
Copy of Sukhbir Badal’s letter to Narendra Modi:
