Channel of peace

The opening of the Kartarpur corridor connecting devotees to their cherished shrine marks a new beginning. Another man-made border has fallen, albeit only for a narrow passage and specific purpose, on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan inaugurated their end of the facilities. The former saw off the first batch of devotees that included former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, ministers and others. The latter received them. The twain, expectedly, did not meet, but worked in coordination.

The tremendous enthusiasm among the devotees has left great goodwill, which could well be used as political capital to bridge the vast chasm that exists between India and Pakistan. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Imran Khan both spoke on the occasion. The momentum of the occasion, coming as it does on the eve of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, was not enough to set aside differences and discord for the moment, even as Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue. In focus was the vast infrastructure built at break-neck speed to facilitate the pilgrimage, and the spirit of the people who were getting a chance to visit the land of their prayers.

The road to the Kartarpur corridor has gone through many twists and turns. It has somehow survived the vicissitudes of Indo-Pak relations. However, the danger of the hijacking of what has become a bridge between two peoples will remain. The security agencies have flagged a number of concerns, and due attention has to be paid to them. The piety of the devotees should be allowed to be a balm that heals the rifts, not be exploited, or allowed to be exploited. Due care will have to be taken by the security agencies, and any attempt to subvert the spirit of Kartarpur would have to be nipped in the bud. The 4-km journey to Kartarpur has taken 72 years to traverse. In consonance with the teachings of Guru Nanak, let it showcase the triumph of hope and goodwill between fellow beings.