Sikh Community's Hopes Dashed as Kartarpur Corridor Remains Closed
There was considerable expectation among followers of Sikhism that during his recent visit to Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would make a special announcement regarding the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor. This crucial passage enables devotees to undertake day-long pilgrimages to Kartarpur in Pakistan, where they pay obeisance at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev.
Voices of Disappointment from Sikh Leadership
Expressing profound disappointment, Baba Amrik Singh Ajnala, chief of Damdami Taksal in Ajnala, stated that denying Sikhs access to one of their most revered religious sites amounts to a grave injustice. He revealed that the Sikh community had hoped Prime Minister Modi would announce the corridor's reopening as a special goodwill gesture, but those expectations remained unfulfilled.
Jagjit Singh Bhullar of the Bhai Mardana Yadgiri Kirtan Darbar Society, one of the organizations that regularly takes jathas (pilgrim groups) to Pakistan, also expressed disappointment over the absence of any announcement. He mentioned that his organization has been receiving numerous enquiries from devotees seeking clarity on when the corridor might reopen. Bhullar added that Sikh devotees had pinned high hopes on Prime Minister Modi's Punjab visit, expecting a gesture of accommodation that unfortunately did not materialize.
Historical Context and Current Situation
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, 2019, by flagging off the first group of pilgrims from the Indian side. On the Pakistani side, the corridor was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the pilgrimage was suspended hours after the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 6, 2025, with India citing security concerns for pilgrims as the reason for halting cross-border movement.
Sikh thinker and intellectual Parshotam Ajnala expressed his disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making any announcement regarding the corridor's reopening, despite widespread hopes within the Sikh community. He emphasized that the corridor is not merely a travel route but represents a profound symbol of faith and emotional connection for Sikhs worldwide. Ajnala added that the absence of any assurance has deeply hurt religious sentiments and prolonged uncertainty among devotees eager to pay their respects at Kartarpur Sahib.
World Bank Chief's Symbolic Visit to Panja Sahib
In a related development of religious significance, World Bank President Ajay Banga, who is the first Sikh to head the global financial institution, recently paid obeisance at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Pakistan. This visit marked a moment of deep religious and symbolic importance for the Sikh community worldwide.
The visit was highlighted in a social media post by Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab Cabinet minister and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), who shared photographs and details of the occasion. Arora described it as an honor to welcome Ajay Banga to one of Sikhism's most sacred shrines, where Guru Nanak Dev spent his final years.
During his visit, Banga paid obeisance, offered prayers, and partook in langar (community kitchen meal) alongside members of the local Sikh sangat (congregation). His interaction with devotees was described as warm and humble, reflecting the egalitarian spirit central to Sikhism. According to Arora, the World Bank President was also briefed on steps being taken by the government of Pakistan, particularly the Punjab government, to protect and uplift minority communities. These initiatives include preservation of religious heritage sites and efforts to ensure equality and inclusion for all citizens.
The contrast between the World Bank chief's ability to visit Pakistani Sikh shrines and the continued closure of the Kartarpur Corridor for ordinary pilgrims has further highlighted the complex religious and diplomatic dimensions surrounding Sikh pilgrimage sites in the region.
