Allow access to all pilgrims: Punjab CM
TNN | Jan 24, 2019, 10:47 IST
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh (File photo)CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday protested against Pakistan’s proposal to allow only Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. He said Guru Nanak Dev was a universal guru and revered by followers of all religions, especially Hindus.
Amarinder urged the Indian government to take up the issue with Islamabad when the latter sends its draft agreement for regulating entry into its territory through the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal, Pakistan.
Citing media reports of the draft agreement being prepared by Pakistan, Amarinder also objected to the condition on the proposed number of pilgrims to be allowed into the neighbouring country.
In a statement, Amarinder said while Islamabad was within its rights to set terms and conditions relating to its territorial safety and security, it should take into consideration the fact that the first Sikh guru’s ideology was not confined to Sikhs.
“Sikh ethos prescribe non-discrimination, with even the concept of langar being a casteless service for all. Besides, all gurdwaras are open to all, without religious bias. A large number of Hindus in India are ardent followers of Guru Nanak Dev and it is a dream for some to visit the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, which was closely associated with the first Sikh Guru,” he said.
Amarinder said there had been a tradition of Hindu families converting their eldest sons to Sikhism for years. “To keep such followers out of Kartarpur Sahib just because they are not Sikhs is not logical,” he said. It was not correct to limit the number of people to 15 a group, he said, adding that individual yatris should be permitted. Advocating ‘khulle dharshan’ for devotees, he said the restriction of allowing just 500 pilgrims in a day should also be removed, especially in November, when the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev would be celebrated.
Amarinder reiterated his concern over making passport compulsory. “With Punjab’s large rural population has no passports, they would be deprived of the historic pilgrimage,” he said.
Amarinder urged the Indian government to take up the issue with Islamabad when the latter sends its draft agreement for regulating entry into its territory through the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal, Pakistan.
Citing media reports of the draft agreement being prepared by Pakistan, Amarinder also objected to the condition on the proposed number of pilgrims to be allowed into the neighbouring country.
In a statement, Amarinder said while Islamabad was within its rights to set terms and conditions relating to its territorial safety and security, it should take into consideration the fact that the first Sikh guru’s ideology was not confined to Sikhs.
“Sikh ethos prescribe non-discrimination, with even the concept of langar being a casteless service for all. Besides, all gurdwaras are open to all, without religious bias. A large number of Hindus in India are ardent followers of Guru Nanak Dev and it is a dream for some to visit the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, which was closely associated with the first Sikh Guru,” he said.
Amarinder said there had been a tradition of Hindu families converting their eldest sons to Sikhism for years. “To keep such followers out of Kartarpur Sahib just because they are not Sikhs is not logical,” he said. It was not correct to limit the number of people to 15 a group, he said, adding that individual yatris should be permitted. Advocating ‘khulle dharshan’ for devotees, he said the restriction of allowing just 500 pilgrims in a day should also be removed, especially in November, when the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev would be celebrated.
Amarinder reiterated his concern over making passport compulsory. “With Punjab’s large rural population has no passports, they would be deprived of the historic pilgrimage,” he said.
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