Punjab CM Mann demands reopening of Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today demanded that the Kartarpur Sahib corridor be opened and Sikh jathas be allowed to pay obeisance at their most revered of shrines: Kartarpur Sahib and Nanakana Sahib. Mann said that he will also be writing to the Centre on this issue soon.

“If you can allow a cricket match between India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup, why should Punjabis’ devotion towards their shrines in Pakistan be ignored? Either you allow all kinds of alliances with Pakistan or you do not allow anything. You can’t have cricket relations with Pakistan, because ICC is headed by “bade sahib ke ladle”, but tell the Sikhs that they can’t go to Pakistan because of deteriorating relations between the two countries in wake of Operation Sindoor,” thundered Mann.

Recounting the strong emotive connect between the two Punjabs, he said that people in Indian Punjab have relatives in Pakistan Punjab, but cannot meet them. “While the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor closed, trade via Wagah is shut and Sikh pilgrims cannot go to Pakistan, yet trade via Gujarat and Mumbai with Karachi is allowed. Does it not reflect their (BJP) anti-Punjab and anti-Punjabi mentality? They hate Punjabis, maybe because Punjabi farmers forced them to withdraw the three farm laws,” said the CM, scoffing that while Afghanistan was sent immediate aid, Punjab, the food bowl of the country had to wait for long to draw the Centre’s attention.

Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Mann said that while Assam and Bihar got economic packages worth thousands of crores, Punjab got peanuts in comparison. “Even what was announced is yet to come. But Punjab will rise again. Punjabis have it in their blood to resurrect themselves and this has already started,” he said.