Punjab CM calls for introduction of m-visa for pilgrims; will accompany 1st jatha to Kartarpur Sahib

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has called for the introduction of m-visa for pilgrims travelling through the corridor to visit the historic Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan. He announced that he would accompany the first jatha using the corridor to Kartarpur Sahib.

The Chief Minister joined Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, in laying the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor in Dera Baba Nanak on Monday, November 26, and while addressing gathering suggested that there should be no visa or passport for travel via the corridor.

Capt Amarinder Singh announced the construction of a grand Kartarpur Gate, which he said would stand out as a monumental symbol to commemorate the 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev.

The CM urged Gadkari to ensure that the Corridor starts functioning by the next Gurpurab.

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who was present on the occasion, approved Punjab government’s proposal for the construction of the Kartarpur Gate, to be called Kartarpur Dwaar. Gadkari also assured the people that his ministry would try to complete the construction work of the corridor expeditiously.

The CM thanked the union government for acceding to Punjab’s request for the development of the Kartarpur Corridor.

Praying to Waheguru to bless the devotees to have darshan and serve the Gurudwaras which had been distanced from the community for years, the Chief Minister also thanked the Pakistan government for deciding to commence the development of the Kartarpur Corridor on their side of the border.

The opening of the Corridor would also lead to the development of the historical town of Dera Baba Nanak and the neighbouring areas, said the Chief Minister, adding that his government had already announced and was implementing a special project for the development of Dera Baba Nanak and Gurdaspur district for ₹965 Crore.

It’s Sidhu’s own way of thinking:

On Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to go to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said “This is his way of thinking,” He however, added that he personally could not think of going there while Indian soldiers and civilians were being killed by them.

As an army man, he could not tolerate the killing of innocent Indians, said the chief minister pointing out that even today an Indian army personnel was killed by Pakistani snipers during an informal chat with media persons after laying the foundation stone ceremony.

As for the Central government’s decision to send its ministers to the Pak ceremony, the CM said it was for them to do as they deem fit but he personally felt that they should have been more sensitive to the feelings of Indian soldiers and citizens. The Centre cannot close its eyes to what is happening in India as a result of Pakistan’s policy and support to terrorist groups, he said.

Capt Amarinder Singh said that the world knows about Pakistan’s role in perpetrating terrorism in India, as manifested in the attacks in Pathankot, Mumbai, Dina Nagar and, of course, Jammu and Kashmir. The Central government is also fully aware of this, he added, reiterating his stand that till the cycle of violence unleashed by Pakistan against India came to a stop, he would not travel to that country.