Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has sought the personal intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in seeking access from the Pakistan government to enable devotees to visit the historic Gurudwara Sahib in Kartapur on the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.
In a letter to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister has urged Sushma to take up the matter with her counterpart for having the corridor from the International Border to Kartarpur opened for the duration of the celebrations. “This will allow the faithful to pay their respects at the Gurudwara Sahib in Kartarpur,” said Captain Amarinder, pointing out that Kartarpur is located across the river Ravi at a distance of around 4 kms from the International Border near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.
The Chief Minister noted that the 550th Birth anniversary of the first Guru, who breathed his last in Kartarpur, is being observed in November 2019. He pointed out that one of the historical demands of the Sikh community has been to have access to the revered Gurudwara Sahib in Kartarpur. “The Government of Punjab has been requesting Government of India time and again for taking up the matter with the Government of Pakistan for a corridor from the International Border to Kartarpur,” he added.
Captain Amarinder further observed that in pursuance of the long-standing demand, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had made an announcement to this effect at Amritsar on 1st September 2004 on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Prakash Utsav of Guru Guru Granth Sahib ji. He had reiterated the same during his subsequent visits to the State in 2005 and 2006. However, despite best efforts this has not materialized, said the Chief Minister, urging Sushma to make personal efforts in the matter.
