Sikh Jatha Led by Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Stopped Short of Zero Line; Ardas Held for Early Reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

Dera Baba Nanak, September 21 , Kanwar Partap Singh / Tajeemnoor Kaur -Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj today reached the Indian side of the Zero Line at Dera Baba Nanak to participate in a joint prayer programme organised by Sikh communities on both sides of the India-Pakistan border for the early reopening of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. However, BSF officials deployed at the border stopped him and the accompanying Sikh sangat some distance before the Zero Line.

The programme was organised following an invitation from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. On the Pakistani side, a Nagar Kirtan was carried out from Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, to the Zero Line to commemorate the Jyoti Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sikh devotees from different parts of Pakistan participated in the Nagar Kirtan.

On the Indian side, Sikh devotees assembled at Dera Baba Nanak following an appeal by Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and proceeded towards the Zero Line in a jatha led by him.

The issue of the Jathedar's visit to the Zero Line had been discussed since morning with BSF and Punjab Police officials through Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Manager Rajinder Singh Ruby and Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak Manager Ranjit Singh. The officials had been informed that Jathedar Gargajj, accompanied by some Sikh devotees, would offer Ardas at the Zero Line for reopening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from the Indian side, peace between India and Pakistan, and the reopening of the border for trade.

When the Sikh jatha approached the Zero Line, BSF officials stopped them and said that if they wished to offer prayers, they could do so at the nearby gurdwara. Jathedar Gargajj asked the BSF personnel to consult their senior officers and allow a jatha of five Sikhs to proceed to the Zero Line so that Rumala Sahib for Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Siropaos (robes of honour) for the Panj Piaras (five beloved ones) could be handed over to the Pakistani Sikh sangat participating in the Nagar Kirtan. However, permission was not granted.

Following this, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and the sangat sat on the ground in front of the BSF barricade. Rehras Sahib (evening prayer) was recited, followed by Shabad Kirtan and Ardas for the reopening of the corridor and peace between the two countries. Jathedar Gargajj's personal assistant, Giani Baldev Singh Bholeke, recited Rehras Sahib, while the Ardas was offered by Jathedar Gargajj. The sangat thereafter raised five Jaikaras. Karah Prashad (holy communion) was distributed before the Sikh jatha returned to the Indian side.

On the Pakistani side, a large number of Sikh devotees also reached the Zero Line with a Nagar Kirtan. After Rehras Sahib, Gurbani Kirtan and Aarti, they offered Ardas before Guru Sahib for the reopening of the corridor. The Gurbani Kirtan and Jaikaras from the Pakistani side were heard by the Sikh sangat gathered on the Indian side.

Talking to the media, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said it was not appropriate to stop Sikhs from even offering Ardas at the Zero Line. He said the governments of both countries should understand Sikh sentiments and, respecting those sentiments, immediately reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

He said Sikhs pray every day for the welfare of all and that the Ardas offered today was also for the immediate reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, peace between India and Pakistan, and the opening of cross-border trade through Punjab. He said this would benefit farmers, traders and people of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions.

Jathedar Gargajj also said that, according to local Sikh devotees, political leaders visiting here are often provided VIP facilities and taken up to the Zero Line, while the Sikh sangat faces restrictions. He termed this an unfortunate situation and said the Central and state governments should pay special attention to ensure that Sikh sentiments are not hurt.

Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj announced that he will visit Dera Baba Nanak every month along with the Sikh sangat to offer Ardas for the early reopening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. He said that once the corridor reopens, he will join the first jatha to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Kartarpur Sahib, the sacred place where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji attained eternal union with the Almighty.