Manmohan Singh, the former prime minister of India, is hopeful that if replicated the Kartarpur corridor model – which will see opening up of Sikhism’s second holiest site on Saturday – could help find lasting resolution to South Asian conflicts.
“Peace and harmony is the only way forward to ensure a prosperous future. The Kartarpur model may be replicated in future too for lasting resolution of conflicts,” Sngh, who will be in Pakistan’s Kartarpur town in Narowal, Punjab, for inauguration of the renovated Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, said.
Kartarpur was founded by Guru Nanak Dev in the 16th century and he spent 18 years of his life in the town which evolved into a great multicultural place with people living in interfaith harmony.
Manmohan Singh, Photo White House
The corridor to Gurdwara – to be opened by Prime Minister Imran Khan – was built at the place where Guru Nanak, the spiritual head of Sikhism passed away.
The event, likely to be attended by Sikh leaders from around the world, takes place at a tense time in India-Pakistan relations nearly 100 days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi overturned constitutionally mandated autonomy of the disputed Kashmir region – the cause of tension between India and Pakistan.
Manmohan Singh and former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had worked out a formula to ease two-way commerce and contacts between Pakistani and Indian-administered parts of Kashmir.
But since the BJP took reigns of New Delhi, India has adopted a fierce nationalistic stance on the Kashmir question.
In an August 5 move, Modi revoked the special status of the region and imposed harsh restrictions on freedoms of expression and movement on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of which continue to cripple life in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, Union Ministers Hardeep Puri, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu and actor Sunny Deol are among devotees who will attend the ceremony on Saturday.
Speaking to a special session of the Punjab Assembly that commemorated the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, Manmohan Singh highlighted the need for tolerance and coexistence.
“Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s eternal message of oneness of god, religious tolerance and peace can pave the way to end sectarian violence,” Singh said, terming sectarian violence as the greatest threat facing the world.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has waived off two requirements for Sikh piligrims intending to visit the holy site – they wont need a passport – just a valid ID and they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji’s 550th birthday, the Khan wrote on Twitter.
The Kartarpur Corridor agreement signed last week, allows Sikh pilgrims visa-free access to their religion’s holy site in Pakisani Punjab’s Narowal district, the pilgrims were required to carry their passports and $20 fee was set as service charges,.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has clarified that the passport waiver for Kartarpur pilgrims would extend up to one year as a special gesture on the 550th birth anniversary of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak.
