Kartarpur Corridor Should Reopen in Line with Sikh Sentiments: Advocate Dhami

Reacting to the Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh's statement in Parliament that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in Pakistan will not be reopened for now, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the issue is deeply connected with the religious sentiments of the Sikh community and urged the Centre to take a decision in accordance with those sentiments. Advocate Dhami said that Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib is the sacred place where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent the final years of his life and gave the universal message of Kirat Karni, Naam Japna, and Vand Chhakna. He said that offering prayers at this holy shrine has long been a cherished aspiration and an important matter of faith for Sikhs across the world. He further stated that the prolonged closure of the corridor has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of devotees. According to him, the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor represents a message of peace between the people of both countries, and there should be no objection to facilitating pilgrimage to such a sacred site. Advocate Dhami emphasized that while national security remains the foremost responsibility of every government, safeguarding religious freedom and respecting the faith of devotees are equally important. He urged the government to review the matter at the earliest, make effective arrangements, and take a decision to reopen the corridor while keeping the sentiments of the Sikh community in mind. Meanwhile, MLA Engineer Manvinder Singh Giaspura strongly criticized the Centre's decision not to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, describing it as contrary to the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. Speaking to journalists, Giaspura said the Central Government should reconsider its decision and reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor without delay so that Sikh devotees from India and abroad can once again visit the revered shrine. He also noted that after the Partition of India, several historic Sikh gurdwaras remained across the border. He added that successive Central governments have not taken adequate steps to ensure easier access for the Sikh community to these historic religious sites.