India will reopen the Kartarpur Corridor ahead of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, which is celebrated on 19 November.
The decision was announced by Home Minister Amit Shah on Twitter. He wrote, “In a major decision that’ll benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, govt has decided to re-open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, Nov 17. This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community.”
“The nation is all set to celebrate the Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji on the 19th of November and I am sure that PM @NarendraModi govt’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country,” he added.
The Kartarpur Corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district.
The decision comes two days after Punjab BJP leaders met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Sunday and submitted a memorandum requesting him to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor to Pakistan.
According to sources, Covid-19 restrictions may be put in place, including social distancing, double vaccination, RT-PCR tests within 72 hours, and the numbers may be restricted.
The Kartarpur Corridor, which opened in November 2019, has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. With Punjab headed to polls early next year, the reopening of the corridor can yield political dividends.
According to MHA, India had signed an Agreement with Pakistan on October 24, 2019 on the modalities for operationalization of the Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International Boundary, Dera Baba Nanak. Representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Home Affairs along with the representatives from Government of Punjab
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It is high time now that Both the governments Pakistan and India learn lessons from the past and must try their best live peacefully and look after its people.What these governments are doing for the poor people , they should high light for us to know. There is big question are they doing any thing?
This is laudable and a great opportunity for devout Sikhs to visit one of their foremost places of worship. In the last 7 years, the poor of India have seen far more benefits than last 70 years and is progressing towards the way of transparency with Modiji as a top man in world diplomacy and fearlessness to fight terrorism and injustice