NAPA urges Centre to reconsider indefinite closure of Kartarpur Corridor

NAPA Urges Centre to Reconsider Kartarpur Corridor Closure

Bharatmorningnews.com – Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has formally urged the Centre to reconsider its decision to maintain the indefinite closure of the Kartarpur Corridor, emphasizing that the religious sentiments of lakhs of Sikh devotees must be carefully balanced with national security considerations. This appeal comes as the corridor continues to remain shut, causing growing concern among the Sikh community both domestically and internationally.

In a comprehensive statement released on Saturday, NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal articulated the association’s position, noting that the prolonged closure has generated significant disappointment among Sikh pilgrims across India and within the global Punjabi and Sikh diaspora. The organization stressed that while national security must undoubtedly remain the government’s foremost priority, an indefinite closure should not be allowed to become a permanent arrangement without proper review.

Security Measures and Spiritual Significance

Chahal urged the Centre to explore all possible security, technological, and diplomatic measures that would enable the corridor to function safely while simultaneously protecting the country’s security interests. He emphasized that modern surveillance systems, strict verification procedures, and close coordination among security agencies could effectively address potential risks while allowing pilgrims to continue their religious journey without interruption.

“The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is not just a passage across the border. It is an emotional and spiritual lifeline for millions of Sikhs who wish to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev,” Chahal said.

The corridor symbolises peace, faith, and people-to-people connections, and its prolonged closure has caused considerable emotional distress to devotees who had hoped for uninterrupted access to the historic shrine. NAPA appealed to the government to review the decision and work towards reopening the corridor with enhanced security arrangements if required, ensuring that preserving national security and respecting the religious rights of citizens go hand in hand.

The association also extended its appeal to both India and Pakistan to continue dialogue on issues relating to the corridor so that devotees are not deprived of access to one of Sikhism’s holiest sites. The Kartarpur Corridor has remained shut since May 7 last year, when the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Union minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that the Centre has received multiple representations from Sikh religious groups calling for the early reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor. However, he noted that the extant security scenario compels the corridor to remain suspended for the time being. The Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Kartarpur stands on a historic site on the banks of the Ravi river where Sikhism founder Guru Nanak settled, preached, and spent the final years of his life until 1539.