Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has urged the Union government to reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, emphasising that matters of religious faith should remain above political considerations. His appeal came as the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution calling for the restoration of regular access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, ahead of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab.
The demand has renewed attention to the corridor’s religious significance for Sikhs in India and around the world, many of whom have been unable to visit the historic shrine through the route since its suspension in May 2025.
Bhagwant Mann Calls for Reopening of Kartarpur Corridor
Addressing the Punjab Assembly, Mann said that devotees’ spiritual aspirations must be respected and that religious devotion should not become a casualty of political disputes.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of enabling Sikh pilgrims to pay obeisance at the revered shrine without unnecessary obstacles. He also called for the Centre to take steps to restore access and work towards arrangements that would allow safe and uninterrupted pilgrim movement.
Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution urging the Union government to reopen and regularise the corridor. The resolution was moved by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
It called for immediate steps to restore access, simplify procedures for pilgrims and engage diplomatically with Pakistan to facilitate safe travel. Special attention was also sought for elderly devotees and people with health or mobility difficulties.
The resolution reflects the state legislature’s appeal for religious access while leaving the practical decisions on reopening to the relevant authorities.
Why Is the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Important?
The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, located in Pakistan’s Narowal district.
The shrine holds deep significance for Sikhs because Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final years of his life in Kartarpur. The corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It allows eligible Indian pilgrims to visit the shrine without a conventional visa, subject to the prescribed registration and travel arrangements.
For many devotees, the route represents more than a transport link. It provides access to an important place in Sikh history and connects families and communities with a shared religious heritage across the international border.
Why Has the Corridor Remained Closed?
The corridor was suspended on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor military strikes. The Union government has cited the prevailing security situation as the reason for keeping the route suspended.
The continued closure has prompted appeals from Sikh religious leaders, community organisations and political representatives seeking renewed access to the shrine.
Reopening would require consideration of security arrangements, coordination between India and Pakistan, and procedures to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.
A Call to Keep Faith Above Political Differences
Mann’s statement has brought the focus back to the emotional and spiritual importance of the corridor. Supporters of reopening argue that access to sacred places should receive serious consideration alongside diplomatic and security concerns.
The Punjab Assembly’s resolution seeks to encourage dialogue and practical measures to restore pilgrim access. However, the corridor’s reopening remains dependent on decisions by the relevant authorities and the security conditions governing cross-border movement.
Conclusion
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s appeal to reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has renewed discussion about religious access, Sikh heritage and India-Pakistan coordination.
With the Punjab Assembly passing a resolution in support of reopening, the state government has called for measures to enable devotees to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib safely and regularly. For the Sikh community, the issue remains deeply connected to faith, history and the opportunity to pay respects at one of Sikhism’s most significant shrines.
