he sacred pilgrimage site at Dera Baba Nanak, located along the India–Pakistan international border, once again witnessed scenes filled with hope and faith as devotees gathered to pray for the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor.
The Sri Kartarpur Ravi Darshan Abhilashi Sansthan, along with members of the Nanak Naam Leva Sangat, organized a special Ardas (prayer ceremony) seeking the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor, creating an emotional atmosphere among devotees.
During the event, organization president and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthic) leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala, along with Jathedar Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Jasbir Singh Jafarwal, addressed the gathering. They stated that the prayer was not merely a religious ritual but the collective voice of millions of devotees who remain deprived of visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
The leaders recalled that the organization’s founder and Panthic leader, late Kuldeep Singh Wadala, had initiated monthly prayers nearly 25 years ago at the border on every new moon day, demanding the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. At that time, the idea seemed like a distant dream, but the prayers of devotees were fulfilled when both India and Pakistan opened the corridor on November 9, 2019, coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
However, the corridor has remained closed since May due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. As a result, thousands of pilgrims have been unable to visit Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, leading to disappointment among devotees.
The leaders appealed to both governments to respect the religious sentiments of devotees and reopen the Kartarpur Corridor immediately. They also demanded the removal of mandatory passport requirements and the $20 service fee to make pilgrimage accessible to people from all sections of society.
The prayer ceremony conveyed a strong message that faith transcends borders and cannot be restricted by political boundaries. Devotees now await a positive response from both governments regarding the reopening of the corridor.
