Time for India to take positive steps on Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, says Sidhu

Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has written to External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj urging her to make every possible effort on the issue of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara and said Pakistan has shown positive intent in providing access to the historic shrineThis comes after the local government tourism and cultural affairs minister had claimed on September 7 that Pakistan had decided to allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara just across the border In a letter written to the union minister on Saturday cricketerturnedpolitician said Now an opportunity has knocked on our doors Pakistan has shown a positive intent towards the long pending demand of Kartarpur Sahib corridor Pilgrims and we all have been demanding for this corridor since yearsHe said some positivity came on this issue when he visited Pakistan for the oathtaking ceremony of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan But now with the countys Information minister Fawad Chaudhary saying that corridor will be opened and even visa wont be required as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev ji it is time for India to take a positive step on this highly emotional issue he saidWhen opportunity knocks kindly step up and open the door wrote Sidhu Appropriate measures on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor must be taken as Sikh sentiments are strongly attached with it Hoping for a positive response from you Sidhu further worte Sidhu had faced flak after he returned home last month from the swearingin ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad where he was seen hugging Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa Defending his hug with Bajwa Sidhu had said last month that he was overwhelmed when told that Pakistan was making efforts to allow access to Kartarpur SahibThe opening of this corridor will be a huge thing for the Sikh community all over the world Even though both neighbours have had sour relations for decades but the corridor if opened can bring peace and prosperity between the two countries This can break barriers build bridges and improve relations between the two nations he said in the letterSidhu said among various historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Ji is of great significance This is the place where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent almost 18 years of his life The Gurdwara Sahib is very close to the International border Such is the sentiment of the pilgrims in India that they visit the border everyday just to have a glimpse of this holy shrine through binoculars arranged by the Border Security Force at the Border in the Dera Baba Nanak region of India he said in the letterSome touch the holy earth and some depart with tearful eyes But are deprived of paying obeisance at this holy shrine The visa wrangles have deprived numerous pilgrims from reaching this historic Gurdwara over the years The rift between two neighbours grew so much over the years that even visiting historical Gurdwaras at will became a problem he wroteAlso Read Navjot Singh Sidhus Praise For Imran Khan Insult To India BJPCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever