Congress welcomes re-opening of Kartarpur Corridor

Congress party, on Tuesday, welcomed the Center's move to re-open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for pilgrimage from November 17 onwards which was suspended in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

New Delhi: Congress party, on Tuesday, welcomed the Center's move to re-open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for pilgrimage from November 17 onwards which was suspended in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. While speaking to ETV Bharat over the matter, Punjab Congress MP Gurjeet Aujla said, "We welcome this decision by Prime Minister and Home Minister. It was a long pending demand. This corridor was closed because of Covid protocol. Now, Covid restrictions have been eased out. So, people wanted to visit there as well."

Union Home Minister Amit shah made this announcement by tweeting, "In a major decision, that will benefit large numbers of Sikh pilgrims, PM @Narendramodi govt has decided to re-open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from tomorrow, Nov 17. This decision reflects the immense reverence of Modi govt towards Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and our Sikh community."

This comes a day after a delegation of Punjab BJP leaders had a meeting with President of India Ramnath Kovind and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to urge them to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor. Before that, they had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same.

When asked about it, Aujla replied, "That demand was being planned out. They could have made such demand in Punjab, two or three weeks earlier. How can you believe that a demand was made two days back and then such decision was taken immediately. This is an international level matter for which various meetings take place. But we just don't want to politicize this matter."

"It's a happy moment that Kartarpur Corridor is reopening and prayers of Sikh community being answered. I had met PM-HM as CM and had requested them. Now they've announced, I thank them. Punjab cabinet will be part of the first jatha for paying obeisance on Nov 18," Punjab CM CS Channi told media persons.

Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted, "Welcome step. The reopening of the Corridor of infinite possibilities. Invaluable gift for Nanak naam levas. may the corridor of the Great Guru remain open eternally to shower blessings on one an all. Sarbat da bhala"

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a welcome decision by the Central Govt -Prayers and wishes of all the followers/ believers of Baba Nanak have been answered. Hope that with the opening of Corridor, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of love, peace & harmony gets more strengthened."

Former Punjab Chief Minister and ex-Congress member Capt Amarinder Singh also welcomed the move by saying, "My profound gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah for the timely opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. It will provide a chance to thousands of devotees to pay obeisance at the holy shrine on the occasion of Guru Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji."