Prayers were offered at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) of the Kartarpur Corridor to pray for reopening of the corridor to facilitate pilgrims seeking to visit the holy shrine in Pakistan on the 551st prakash purab of Guru Nanak Dev next month. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders and workers joined the sangat in the prayers.
Devotees listened to ‘kirtan’ which was performed on the site followed by an ‘ardas’ beseeching Waheguru to reopen the ‘corridor of peace’ in keeping with the sentiments of the ‘sangat’ from across the world.
Briefing newsmen on the occasion, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that the Union Government should accord permission for reopening of the corridor. “While the SAD has come here along with devotees to perform ‘ardas’ and pray for reopening of the corridor, it would also make a formal request to the Centre for the same soon. Punjab government should also adopt a positive role to facilitate early reopening of the corridor,” he said.
Majithia said that Sikhs from across India and the world wished to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib next month to participate in the 551st parkash purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. “Devotees also wanted to visit the shrine to connect with the hallowed area where Guru Nanak tilled the land for 18 years and laid emphasis on agriculture. It is unfortunate that the Governments of the day are running down this hallowed profession while calling for giving due respect to the ‘anndaata’ who is responsible for sustaining life,” he said.
The SAD leader said all prominent pilgrimage sites across the world which had been partially or fully closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic including Mecca had been reopened. “The Union Government should likewise give permission for reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor in keeping with the sentiments of the Sikh community,” he added.