Capt protests against Pak move to restrict Kartarpur travel to Sikhs

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 23

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday protested against Pakistan’s proposal to allow only Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, pointing out that Guru Nanak was a universal guru, revered by followers of all religions, especially Hindus.

The Chief Minister has urged the Centre to take up the issue with Islamabad when the latter sends its draft agreement for regulating entry into its territory through the Kartarpur corridor.

In a statement issued here, Amarinder said while Islamabad was well within its rights to set terms and conditions relating to its territorial safety and security, it should take into consideration the fact that the first Sikh Guru’s ideology is not confined to Sikhs but is emulated by people of all faiths.

The Sikh ethos prescribes non-discrimination, with even the concept of ‘langar’ being casteless service for all, the Chief Minister said, adding that all gurdwaras are open to all, without religious bias.

A large number of Hindus in India are ardent followers of Guru Nanak, and it is their cherished dream to visit the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, he pointed out.

There was for years the tradition of Hindu families converting their eldest sons to Sikhism, the Chief Minister noted, adding that the influence of Sikhism in India was so strong that to exclude members of other religions was not something that the Pakistan government should even remotely consider. To keep such followers out of Kartarpur Sahib just because they are not Sikhs is not logical, he said, urging the Centre to take up the matter with the Pakistan government on priority.

Citing media reports of the draft agreement being prepared by the Pakistan government on entry through Kartarpur corridor, the Chief Minister also objected to the condition of the number of pilgrims proposed by them. It was not correct to limit the number of people to 15 a group, he said, adding that individual yatris should be permitted.

Advocating ‘khulle darshan’ for devotees, he said the restriction of 500 pilgrims per day should also not be there, especially in November 2019, when the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak would be celebrated.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern at the reported clause making the passport imperative for travel by pilgrims.  With Punjab’s large rural population having no passports, such a move would deprive them of making the historic pilgrimage, he observed.

The Chief Minister urged the governments of India and Pakistan to sit across the table and thrash out all issues to facilitate smooth and hassle-free travel by pilgrims through the corridor before coming to a formal agreement.

Such regressive steps as were reportedly being considered by the Pakistan government to control entry through the corridor would negate the positive initiative taken by their government and it was up to the Indian government to resolve all such issues amicably so that the pilgrims got the maximum benefit from the historic decision of the two nations, Amarinder said.