Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the Centre to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. He also demanded permission for Sikh jathas to visit Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
Mann said Punjabis cannot be denied religious access while cricket matches with Pakistan are allowed. He added that devotion to Guru Nanak Dev’s shrines deserves respect.
The CM announced he would write to the Centre. This is his second statement on the issue in two days. Earlier, he criticised the ban on Diljit Dosanjh’s film while cricket ties continued.
Support for Sikh pilgrims is growing. Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang condemned the Centre’s move to stop jathas from attending Guru Nanak Dev’s Parkash Utsav.
Mann accused the BJP of double standards. He said trade via Wagah is closed, but business with Karachi continues through Gujarat and Mumbai.
He also attacked Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Bittu, asking them to clarify their stand. Mann added that while Assam and Bihar got big packages, Punjab received little support.
