India is planning to reopen the KartarpurCorridor, which was shut down in March 2020 owing to the Covid pandemic, on theoccasion of 552nd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Though Pakistan hasreopened the corridor after the situation eased, the suspension from the Indianside persists.
The corridor provides a visa-free bordercrossing for pilgrims from India visiting the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. GurdwaraKartarpur Sahib is the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.
The Gurudwara is considered to be one of theholiest places in Sikhism. It's believed to be the final resting place of GuruNanak Dev. The 4.7 km long corridor was opened with much fanfare on November 9,2019, on Gurpurab.
Ahead of Gurpurab, Pakistan’s government hadalready issued around 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims to visit gurudwaras inPakistan including to Guru Nanak’s birth place Nankana Sahib, and the Gurudwaraat Kartarpur where he died.
Amit Shah recently made it official through atweet that Katarpur Corridor will open from tomorrow on Nov 17. He wrote, “In amajor decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM @Narendramodigovt has decided to re-open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, Nov 17.This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri GuruNanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community.”
Earlier, BJP ministers also went to PrimeMinister Narendra Modi to urge to reopen Kartarpur Corridor before Guru NanakDev Jayanti.
Apart from this, after looking at thehistoric gurdwara through binoculars, Sidhu offered ardas (prayer) and said, “Iprayed to Baba Nanak to reopen the corridor. I seek his blessings again,because due to his power, the corridor was opened.”
"I urge GOI to reopen KartarpurCorridor...and to cancel the 3 farm laws on Shri Guru Nanak's Gurpurab, as it'sa day for reflection, rediscovery and reiteration of Guru's message of peace,harmony & universal brotherhood," Sidhu said.
Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singhtoo requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor.
"I urge Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to open the KartarpurCorridor before Nov 19, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, so thatpeople can pay obeisance at the holy shrine on this sacred occasion," hetweeted.