CHANDIGARH (Web Desk) – The Indian Punjab Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to immediately reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, raising fresh hopes for Sikh pilgrims seeking access to one of their most sacred religious sites in Pakistan.
The resolution was presented by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and received unanimous support from lawmakers present in the Assembly. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also strongly supported the demand, calling for religious considerations to be given priority in decisions affecting the Sikh community.
The resolution urged India’s federal government to take immediate measures to restore the corridor and ensure that Sikh pilgrims can travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur without unnecessary restrictions.
Lawmakers also called for simplifying travel procedures and establishing arrangements that would allow devotees to visit the historic shrine through a convenient and uninterrupted process.
Assembly highlights religious significance of corridor
During the discussion, members of the Assembly described the Kartarpur Corridor as an important symbol of religious harmony, shared heritage and historical connections between communities on both sides of the Pakistan-India border.
They stressed that access to religious sites should be facilitated through cooperation and dialogue, allowing followers of Sikhism to maintain their spiritual connection with places associated with their religious history.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly endorsed the resolution, maintaining that religious sentiments should not become secondary to political disagreements.
He supported efforts to restore access to the shrine and emphasised the importance of respecting the spiritual aspirations of Sikh devotees.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also highlighted the religious importance of Kartarpur, saying the corridor represented a historic connection between Sikh pilgrims and the place associated with the teachings of Guru Nanak.
Why the Kartarpur Corridor was closed
The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 to facilitate visa-free travel for Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, located in Pakistan’s Narowal district.
The shrine holds exceptional religious significance because Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final years of his life there.
The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib across the international border in Pakistan.
However, India suspended the corridor on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam attack and escalating military tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
The closure interrupted an important arrangement that had allowed Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the historic shrine without following the conventional visa process.
Since then, restrictions on access have remained a major concern for Sikh religious organisations and devotees who wish to visit the sacred site.
Sikh pilgrims seek uninterrupted access
The resolution passed by the Indian Punjab Assembly specifically called for the restoration of regular pilgrim movement and simpler procedures for visiting Kartarpur.
Lawmakers argued that the corridor provides an important opportunity for Sikh devotees to maintain their religious connections with historic sites associated with Guru Nanak Dev.
They also emphasised the need for coordination between the Indian and Pakistani governments to establish arrangements ensuring safe and convenient travel.
The demand reflects continuing interest among Sikh communities in India and abroad in restoring access to the shrine.
For many devotees, visiting Kartarpur is not simply a matter of tourism but an important religious experience connected with their faith, history and spiritual identity.
Reopening requires action by central government
Although the Punjab Assembly has unanimously supported reopening the corridor, its resolution is a political appeal rather than an order that automatically restores cross-border travel.
The Indian central government would need to take the necessary decisions and coordinate with Pakistan regarding security arrangements, travel procedures and the resumption of services.
The resolution therefore places renewed attention on the importance of diplomatic engagement between the two countries over religious travel.
It also highlights the role of state-level political institutions in raising concerns affecting local communities and religious groups.
Renewed hopes for religious diplomacy
The Assembly’s decision has brought the Kartarpur Corridor back into public discussion and renewed calls for restoring a facility that previously enabled thousands of Sikh pilgrims to visit the historic shrine.
The development has also highlighted the importance of protecting religious access and preserving shared cultural and historical connections despite political differences between neighbouring countries.
The central government’s response to the resolution will be important in determining whether practical steps can be taken towards reopening the corridor.
For Sikh pilgrims, the immediate priority remains the restoration of convenient and uninterrupted access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, allowing them to reconnect with one of the most significant places in their religious heritage.
