Akal Takht acting jathedar and Takht Kesgarh jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj has appealed to the Indian government to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, a symbolic route connecting devotees from India to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The religious leader made the appeal on Sunday after returning from Pakistan, where he had joined hundreds of devotees to celebrate the 556th Parkash Gurpurb — the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Speaking to reporters at the Attari-Wagah border, Giani Gargaj said that during his visit to Pakistan, he prayed for peace, harmony, and goodwill between India and Pakistan. He added that reopening the Kartarpur Corridor would not only strengthen the religious connection between Sikhs across borders but also promote brotherhood and understanding between the two nations.
The jathedar led a Sikh jatha (group) that visited several sacred shrines, including Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib, and other historic gurdwaras in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Expressing his gratitude, he thanked both the Indian and Pakistani governments for allowing the jatha to make the pilgrimage. “We are thankful to both sides for their cooperation in making our spiritual journey peaceful and successful,” he said.
Jathedar Gargaj praised the efforts of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the provincial Punjab government for making excellent arrangements for the pilgrims. He said the hospitality, security, and facilities provided to the devotees were commendable. “The arrangements were very well managed, and all pilgrims were able to pay obeisance peacefully,” he noted.
He also shared that during his visit, he met several officials and members of the Sikh community in Pakistan. The jathedar appreciated PSGPC president Ramesh Singh Arora for his work in coordinating with the government and ensuring smooth functioning of religious affairs. “It is a matter of pride that a Sikh is serving as a minister in Pakistan. His contribution to preserving Sikh heritage there is truly commendable,” Gargaj said.
Jathedar Gargaj further revealed that the Pakistan government has decided to reopen 17 more gurdwaras that have remained closed since the partition of India in 1947. The restoration and renovation work on these shrines is expected to be completed by April next year. Once reopened, these sites will allow Sikh devotees greater access to their historic religious places, many of which hold deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Responding to questions about reports related to Hindu devotees accompanying the Sikh jatha, Gargaj condemned what he described as “distortion of facts.” He clarified that more than 40 Hindu devotees had joined the group during the visit and had also paid respect at various Sikh shrines. “We all prayed together for peace. The message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji transcends religion and teaches unity among all faiths,” he emphasized.
While appealing for the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor, Jathedar Gargaj also urged the Indian government to consider allowing Sikhs living in Pakistan to visit prominent gurdwaras in India. He mentioned that many Pakistani Sikhs have expressed a strong desire to visit Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), Akal Takht Sahib, and Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib — all of which hold immense significance in Sikh history.
“The government of India should make visa arrangements to allow Pakistani Sikhs to visit these sacred places. Such steps will help in promoting goodwill and strengthen the bond between the two communities across borders,” he said. Gargaj emphasized that religious exchanges between India and Pakistan should continue, as they nurture mutual respect and cultural understanding.
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He also noted that Sikhs own nearly 1.5 lakh acres of land in Pakistan and could play an important role in maintaining and preserving the gurdwaras and lands associated with Sikh history if they were allowed more frequent visits. “Our people are ready to contribute to the upkeep of these sacred sites. Access will help preserve our heritage,” he said.
During his visit, Jathedar Gargaj performed Ardas (prayer) at Darbar Sahib, seeking peace and continued prosperity for the Sikh community worldwide. He said that the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor would once again allow devotees to visit this spiritually important site without difficulty.
The corridor, inaugurated in November 2019, allows Sikh pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan without a visa. It was hailed as a historic peace gesture but has faced occasional closures due to political tensions and administrative issues.
Jathedar Gargaj’s appeal reflects the deep emotional and spiritual connection that Sikhs across the world feel with Kartarpur Sahib — the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He concluded his statement by saying, “Guru Nanak’s teachings are for all humanity. The reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor will be a step toward unity, compassion, and peace between the two nations.”
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