Amarinder Singh warns again of a hidden agenda of Pakistan behind opening of Kartarpur Corridor
The Chief Minister of Punjab – Amarinder Singh had said that he had warned of a hidden agenda of Pakistan behind the opening of Kartarpur corridor, after the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage of Pakistan, shared a video on corridor, featuring Khalistan leader – Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
A promotional video song, welcoming Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib, also features separatists – Major General Shabeg Singh and Amrik Singh Khalsa – in one part of the clip.
All these 3 were killed by the Indian Military during Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in June 1984. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a terrorist leader of the Sikh organization, ‘Damdami Taksal’. Major General Shabeg Singh was a General in the Indian Army, who joined Khalistan movement after he was court-marshalled for corruption. Amrik Khalsa was a Khalistani student leader who headed the now banned ‘All India Sikh Students Federation’ (AISSD).
The Khalistan movement is a Sikh separatist movement, which seeks to create a separate country called Khalistan to serve as a homeland for Sikhs. In June 1984, these 3 separatists had entered the buildings of the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Bhindranwale later made the sacred temple complex an armoury and headquarters. This was followed by the then Prime Minister of India – Indira Gandhi ordering the Indian Military and Paramilitary forces carry out ‘Operation Blue Star’ to remove separatists from the sacred temple.
The song was also shared on twitter in 3 parts. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Speaking to media, Amarinder Singh said, “All this is what I have been warning about since day one, that Pakistan has a hidden agenda here. Pakistan on one side is showing love but on the other side, they can try to foment trouble. We have to very careful of their intentions.”
He further added, “Sikh community had been asking for opening of the passage to the sacred Kartarpur shrine for the past 70 years, but Pakistan’s sudden decision to accept the demand indicated an ulterior motive, aimed at driving a wedge in the Sikh community by exploiting their religious sentiments.”
According to Intelligence, a fringe Khalistani group, based in the United States (U.S.), – ‘Sikhs for Justice’ is working to promote the so-called ‘Referendum 2020’ movement by using the corridor with tacit support Pakistan’s intelligence agency – Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).
The video gains significance as both India and Pakistan are set to inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor soon. The Indian side of the border will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi on Friday, November 8, 2019. The Pakistan side of the corridor will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan – Imran Khan on Saturday, November 9, 2019.
For the records, India and Pakistan have signed an agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor on October 24, 2019, to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Punjab Province of Pakistan. As of now, pilgrims from India have to take a bus to Lahore to get to Kartarpur, which is a 125 kms. journey.
As per the agreement, the pilgrims would come in the morning and return in the evening same day. Everyday 5,000 Indian pilgrims will be allowed to visit the holy shrine. The Kartarpur Corridor will be open throughout the year, except on notified days which will be informed in advance.
Post this, Imran Khan announced that Indian pilgrims would not require passports to travel through the Kartarpur Corridor, provided they have valid ID proof. He also said that pilgrims don’t need to register for their trip 10 days in advance. Lastly, he had also waived off the service fee of U.S. $ 20 per pilgrim, on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, i.e., November 12, 2019.
As a matter of fact, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is easily visible from the Indian side of the border. Once inaugurated, the Karatrpur Corridor will allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur, which is 4.7 kms. from border, without a visa.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is built on the historic site where Guru Nanak settled and assembled the Sikh commune after his missionary travels.
