Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday,23 November, hoped the Kartarpur corridor would act as a bridge between the peoples of India and Pakistan that might lead to a better future as he referred to the fall of the Berlin Wall to underline the importance of people-to-people contact.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev, the prime minister referred to the Partition and said, "What has happened in 1947 has happened." He said the issues between the governments and the armies would continue and only time will show the way out.
Underlining the strength of people-to-people contact, the prime minister said:
“Had anyone ever thought that the Berlin Wall would fall. May be with the blessings of Guru Nanak Devji, this Kartarpur corridor will not just remain a corridor, but act as a bridge between the peoples of the two countries.”PM Narendra Modi
The Pakistan government on Friday, 23 November, announced that it will open the Kartarpur Corridor next year for the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will lay the foundation stone of the corridor on the Pakistani side on 28 November, news agency ANI reported.
The announcement was made a day after the Union Cabinet approved the building and development of the corridor.
Meanwhile, Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, in a letter issued on 23 November to Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, hailed the steps taken by the central government, saying he is extremely grateful to the government.
“It fills my heart with joy unspeakable on learning that the government of India has agreed a corridor for pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib... As a Sikh devotee and as a man committed to the cause of Punjab and its people, I am extremely grateful and indebted for the steps by the Government of India.”Navjot Singh Sidhu
Kartarpur Sahib, located in Pakistan, is believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev and one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs.
In a series of tweets, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, 22 November, that the decision to build the Kartarpur corridor was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji.
“The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year. Government of Pakistan will be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory.”Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister
He also added that the corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities will be implemented with the funding from the Centre.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said:
“The government of India will develop a Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Punjab to the International Border to facilitate pilgrims from India to visit the holy Gurudwara Darbaar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of Rabi river in Pakistan where Guru Nanak Devji spent 18 years.”
Urged Pak to Recognise the Sikh Sentiment: MEA
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has approached Pakistan government to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and build the corridor, in keeping with the resolution adopted by the Cabinet on Thursday.
"We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognise the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year," he said.
A Victory of Peace, Says Pakistan
Pakistan has conveyed to India its decision to open the Kartarpura corridor, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on 22 November.
“Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion (sic),” Qureshi tweeted.
Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry welcomed India's announcement and said the construction of the Kartarpur corridor will be a "victory of peace.”
"It is a step towards the right direction and we hope such steps will encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border," he tweeted.
Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh Welcomes Decision
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh welcomed the Centre's decision to build and develop the corridor. "The move will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims desirous of visiting the Kartarpur gurdwara," Singh said in a statement.
Befitting Tribute: Akali Dal
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) hailed the Cabinet approval and said it was a “befitting” tribute to Guru Nanak Dev’s vision.
Welcoming the Centre's initiative, SAD patron and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said, "This is indeed a befitting tribute to the great Guru Nanak Dev ji's cosmic vision transcending all kinds of barriers among human beings of different castes, creeds and countries.”
AAP Says Visa Should be Simplified
The Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the decision has fulfilled the wish of the Sikh community across the world.
In a joint statement, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Harpal Singh Cheema, and Spokesperson MLA Baljinder Kaur, also appealed the Centre to simplify visa requirements for religious trips to Pakistan.
The leaders asked the External Affairs Ministry to set up an office in Amritsar to assist pilgrims.
Sidhu’s Pak Visit Brought Kartarpur Into Focus
The issue of Kartarpur Sahib came into focus after Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu visited Pakistan in August to attend the oath-taking ceremony of his cricketer-turned-politician friend Imran Khan as prime minister of that country.
After his return, Sidhu claimed that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had told him that Pakistan may open a corridor to Kartarpur Sahib.
Singh said commemorative coins and postage stamps will be released by the government and religious activities will be organised throughout the country.
Union Cabinet to Also Develop the Town of Sultanpur Lodhi
Rajnath Singh also said the Union Cabinet had decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as a heritage town on smart city principles.
As major attraction for pilgrims and tourists, a heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, 'Pind Babe Nanak da' will be developed to depict times of Guru Nanak Dev. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station will also be upgraded and developed.
A centre for inter faith studies will be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Chairs on Guru Nanak Dev will be set up in one university each in the United Kingdom and Canada, and an international seminar on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev will be organised in New Delhi.
The Ministry of Railways will run a train passing through holy places associated with Guru Nanak Dev.
The home minister said states and union territories are being requested to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a befitting manner.
The Indian missions overseas will organise special events on the occasion. UNESCO to be requested to publish Guru Nanak Dev’s writings in world languages. The National Book Trust will publish Gurbani in different Indian languages.
A high-level committee chaired by the home minister will regularly review, monitor and oversee the implementation of activities to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)