Punjab cabinet to be part of first jatha to visit Kartarpur Sahib

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday welcomed the Centre's decision of reopening the Kartarpur corridor and said the state cabinet will be part of the "Jatha", which will visit the historic shrine in Pakistan on November 18. Besides Channi, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, former CM Amarinder Singh, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also hailed the Centre's move.

The Kartarpur corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district. Pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara was suspended in March last year because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the Union government has decided to corridor from Wednesday.

Gurpurab, which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, will be celebrated on November 19.

Channi welcomed the move and said he as the Punjab CM had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to reopen the corridor.

"I thank them", he said.

"The entire cabinet will be part of the first 'Jatha' (group) which will visit and pay obeisance on November 18," Channi told reporters.

"I warmly welcome the decision to reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the auspicious occasion of 552nd Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This laudatory step has fulfilled aspirations of millions of devotees who've been deprived of 'darshan didare' due to the Covid pandemic," Channi said later in a tweet.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu also welcomed the decision.

"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," said Sidhu in a tweet.

In his earlier tweet, Sidhu had said, "I urge GOI to reopen Kartarpur Corridor, to create a new Darshan Asthan for ?khule darshan didar' for all and to cancel the 3 farm laws on Shri Guru Nanak's Gurpurab, as it's a day for reflection, rediscovery and reiteration of Gurus message of peace, harmony & universal brotherhood."

Former chief minister Amarinder Singh thanked the PM and the Union home minister for the decision.

"My profound gratitude to PM @narendramodi and HM @AmitShah 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," said Amarinder.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said, "I thank the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for reopening the corridor. With this decision, Sikhs around the world will be able to celebrate 'Prakash Purab' with full devotion and enthusiasm."

On November 14, a delegation of Punjab BJP leaders had met the PM in Delhi and requested him to reopen the corridor before Gurpurab.

The Kartarpur Corridor provides Indian devotees visa-free access to the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev.