The Kartarpur Corridor has been closed from the Indian side for the past nine days, blocking Sikh pilgrims from visiting the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor, which connects Dera Baba Nanak in India to Kartarpur in Pakistan, is a vital route for Sikh religious visits without the need for a visa.
Sardar Gobind Singh, the Head Granthi of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, voiced concern over the continued closure. He appealed directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the corridor immediately. He said Pakistan is fully ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims and is waiting for them with open arms.
Speaking to the media, Singh stressed that religion should remain separate from politics. He recalled that even during the World Wars, pilgrims were never stopped from visiting religious sites. “Sikhs have deep spiritual ties with Kartarpur,” he added. “Blocking access only hurts religious sentiments.”
Local pilgrims and members of the Sikh community echoed this concern. They urged Indian authorities to prioritize the religious rights of Sikhs over political tensions. Many expressed sadness that they could not perform darshan (sacred viewing) of the Gurdwara.
The closure follows military tensions between India and Pakistan. On May 10, Pakistan responded strongly to Indian aggression, shooting down five Indian fighter jets and destroying multiple airfields in a counter-operation. However, Pakistani officials maintain that religious and humanitarian access like the Kartarpur pilgrimage should remain open despite conflicts.