Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has formally requested the Union government to take immediate steps to reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Speaking in the state assembly on Tuesday, the Chief Minister emphasized that the movement of pilgrims to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan should be regular and free from any procedural hurdles. He asserted that religious devotion and matters of faith must be insulated from the complexities of political considerations.
During the session, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha took a decisive step by passing a unanimous resolution to facilitate the reopening of the pilgrimage route. The resolution, which was moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, highlighted that the corridor represents a vital bond of human kinship and religious freedom for the global Sikh community. It noted that the passage serves as more than just a diplomatic link between India and Pakistan, acting instead as a spiritual bridge for the Sikh Sangat.
In his address to the House, Chief Minister Mann underscored the necessity of prioritizing the spiritual aspirations of devotees. He stated that the interruption of movement through the corridor has deeply impacted the religious sentiments of Sikhs worldwide, effectively depriving many of the opportunity to perform 'darshan' at the site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his final years. He reiterated that there should be no room for petty politics when it concerns the fundamental right to practice religious devotion.
The resolution specifically calls for the Union government to engage with Pakistani authorities to ensure that the movement of pilgrims remains safe, uninterrupted, and consistent. Furthermore, it advocates for a significant simplification of the current visit procedures. The assembly emphasized that these administrative changes are particularly necessary to support elderly and infirm devotees, who currently face challenges in completing the pilgrimage.
Supporting the motion, Minister Harjot Singh Bains reflected on the profound significance of the site, noting that it is rooted in the core Sikh principles of honest labor and sharing with the needy. He described the corridor as a pathway that reconnects the community with the land sanctified by the presence of their Guru. The leaders argued that keeping the corridor functional is a matter of respect for the long-held spiritual traditions of the region.
The demand for the corridor's full reopening comes as part of a broader call from the Punjab state government to streamline cross-border religious travel. By passing this formal resolution, the Vidhan Sabha has signaled its intent to maintain pressure on the Centre to prioritize the needs of pilgrims over diplomatic fluctuations. The government aims to ensure that the corridor remains an operational and accessible route for all members of the Sikh Sangat wishing to fulfill their spiritual journey.
As of now, the resolution serves as a formal request to the central administration to re-evaluate the restrictions currently in place. The state government remains firm in its stance that the corridor should function without hindrance, regardless of the wider diplomatic climate between the two nations. The push for immediate action reflects the ongoing commitment of the state leadership to address the concerns of the Sikh community and protect the sanctity of their religious heritage.
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