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Pakistan’s Kartarpur gesture – a milestone towards Bridging Relations
11-09-2019
November 9th, 2019 will forever be remembered as a day when two nations put their differences aside to honor and allow a religious minority in both countries to fulfill their long lasting spiritual quest.
The historic Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was inaugurated on the Indian side and the Pakistan side to mark and celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on 12 November.
Baba Guru Nanak Devji was the first of the ten Sikh gurus. Pakistan has been the epi center of the celebrations this year since one of the holiest sites of Sikhism is situated just 4.7 kilometres from the Indian border in Pakistan.
Guru Nanak, (15th April 1469 – 22nd September 1539) the founder of Sikhism, settled after his missionary work in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. He assembled a Sikh community there, and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. Kartarpur Gurdwara is built where Guru Nanak is said to have died. It is therefore the second holiest site of the Sikh religion after Gurdwara Janam Asthan- the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji located at Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.
US Department of State called it a step towards promoting greater religious freedom.
“It is a step towards promoting greater religious freedom. Best wishes to the pilgrims making the crossing for the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak’s birth,” the statement read.
Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, after visiting the Kartarpur corridor, said that the corridor is a good beginning for improved India-Pakistan relations.
“It was a good beginning, India-Pakistan relations are subject to many buts and ifs, I hope this is a good beginning to normalise our relation.”
Chief guest Navjot Singh Sidhu was invited by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Speaking at the event, Sidhu said, “It is the first time since partition that the boundaries have been dismantled. No one can deny my friend Imran Khan's contribution. I thank Modi ji also for it."
The formal inauguration took place by lifting of a curtain on a huge 'kirpan' (dagger) that was displayed at the inauguration site by the Prime Minister on Pakistan Imran Khan.
Khan admitted to the gathering of over 12,000 devotees, "This is the Medina of the Sikh community. I didn't have any idea what place Kartarpur held in the hearts until a year ago.”
He further stated his desire to unite the people and leave the politics of division. He gave the example that “Nelson Mandela chose to unite people after apartheid and saved the country from a bloodbath.”
Addressing Narendra Modi Imran Khan said, “I asked Modi why can't we resolve this issue. What is happening in Kashmir is beyond territorial issue, it's about human rights. Eighty lakh people are trapped by Army. This is about human rights. They are being treated like animals. Peace won't prevail like this. Because of this all our relations have soured. If PM Modi is listening to me, then I'd say that peace prevails through justice. Give justice to the people of Kashmir."
The mood of his speech was overall of reconciliation. In his message Imran Khan said, "We believe that the road to prosperity of region and bright future of our coming generation lies in peace."
"Today we are not only opening the border, but also our hearts for the Sikh community," Imran Khan said.
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