Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have always been very uneasy and complex. The wounds left behind due to the violent partition doesn’t look to heal soon. Political conflicts, wars, and the Kashmir issue have left no space for any reconciliation and peace talks. All the peace talks and dialogues have failed miserably since the partition. The Narendra Modi led Bhartiya Janta Party Government too, has shown no resilience towards the gross violations by the Pakistani army at the Border and has given a stern reply by doing a surgical strike after the Uri terror attack where 18 Indian soldiers were killed. Since the Uri attack of 2016, the relations between India and Pakistan went from bad to worse and tension soared up on both sides. Many predicted India will wage the war on Pakistan. This angered citizens and led to the call for the boycott of Pakistani goods and artists. But there was a little glimmer of hope when the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, former cricketer Imran Khan offered to open the Kartarpur corridor which will legally permit Sikh Pilgrims to visit the holy shrine which the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev known as the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. Narendra Modi too responded positively for the sake of honoring the sentiments of Sikh people and took one of the boldest and significant decision in the history of India, Pakistan relations. Finally, the Union Cabinet in India approved the building and development of the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the international border. The decision was welcomed by the Punjab state government and its people as this will safely facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. And on 9 November 2019, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan inaugurated the Kartarpur corridor in the presence of around 12,000 pilgrims at a ceremony that was held in Gurdwara Darbar Sahib complex, Kartarpur.
But, was the Indian government right in approving the construction of Kartarpur corridor? How this has benefited India and its people? What’s the future of the relations between India and Pakistan post-Kartarpur corridor? Are the Sikh people and the Punjab Government happy with the decision of the Indian government? These are some of the questions that need to be answered.
There are over 20 million Sikhs in India. Sikhs have made an immense contribution in every field and sector. They have displayed never-ending bravery and courage on the battlefield. The contribution of Sikhs in the Indian Army and safeguarding national security is inspirational. So, the opening of the Kartarpur corridor is a gift from the Indian government to the Sikh People. The Dera Baba Nanak shrine is a sacred place for the Sikh people and this decision has made them really happy and they can easily visit the shrine and take the blessings of Guru Nana Dev. This decision might also help in restoring the faith of Sikh people in the government which was lost due to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This decision might also ease the tension between the two countries and make way for the development and peace.
Yukti Kumar @ Samacharline