It was a historic moment — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeing off the first group of Sikhs at the Indian side of the border for Kartarpur in Pakistan, where they can now freely congregate at their most sacred religious site. The border, made soft by the initiative of PM Imran Khan, will embrace 8,000-10,000 pilgrims to mark Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday on November 12. On any given day, up to 5,000 Sikhs can visit the site. The Kartarpur Corridor, where Imran Khan had done the groundbreaking last year, has braved tough negotiations besides spike in border tensions between the two countries. Modi’s message on the inaugural day was, “The opening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devi Ji has brought us immense happiness”. The Corridor drives its point home that more such points can bring softness on borders, and on this front Imran Khan has taken the most remarkable initiative. He waived visa and passport requirements for visitors till November 12. The Kartarpur Corridor, rightly being called the Corridor of Peace, may not alone bring about a visible change in the hostile relations between the two countries, unless India reciprocates. It can start with India-held Kashmir where over eight million people have been under lockdown for the last two months, and despite the international outcry, the Delhi government has yet to take a step back. The Indian government must withdraw its August 5 action, reinstate the special status of the valley and lift communication blackout and curfew. Similarly, points like Kartarpur should be opened along the Working Boundary and the Line and Control where Kashmiris should be allowed document-free travelling. The decision of the Babri Mosque by the Indian Supreme Court coincides with the inauguration of the Corridor of Peace. A constitution bench has ordered that a temple be built at the disputed site and Muslims be allotted five acres at a prominent place in Ayodhya. The court gave three months to the Indian government to formulate a scheme to implement this order. The decision will be rejected by the Muslim population of India since the court referred to disputed historical references claiming that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Ram. The court, however, condemned the damage caused to Babri Masjid in 1934, desecration in 1949 and demolition in 1992. Now, when Pakistan’s actions have brought happiness to millions of Sikhs, it is left to India to provide such occasions for Kashmiris and Indian Muslims. *