Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

KARTARPUR CORRIDOR WILL ATONE FOR SINS OF PARTITION: PM

TAKING A DIG Says now devotees do not have to look at the shrine in Pakistan using binoculars

- Press Trust of India letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the previous Congress government for its inability to bring Kartarpur Sahib under India during Partition. Releasing a commemorat­ive coin as part of the 350th birth anniversar­y celebratio­ns of 10th Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh, Modi also came down on the Congress for the 1984 riots that took place following the assassinat­ion of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Referring to the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, he said that now devotees do not have to look at the shrine in Pakistan using binoculars and they could visit the place without visa.

“A mistake took place in August, 1947. It [the corridor] is an atonement of the mistake. An important place of our guru was only a few kilometers away. But it could not be made part [of India during Partition] ... the corridor is an effort to reduce the damage,” he said in a veiled attack on the then Congress government.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the previous Congress government for its inability to bring Kartarpur Sahib under India during Partition.

Releasing a commemorat­ive coin to mark the birth anniversar­y of Guru Gobind Singh, Modi also came down heavily on the Congress for the 1984 riots that took place following the assassinat­ion of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Referring to the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, he said now devotees do not have to look at the shrine in Pakistan using binoculars and they could visit the place without visa using the corridor.

“A mistake took place in August, 1947. It (the corridor) is an atonement of the mistake. An important place of our guru was only a few kilometers away. But it could not be made part (of India during partition)...the corridor is an effort to reduce the damage,” he said in a veiled attack on the then Congress government.

Guru Nanak passed away in Kartarpur on September 22, 1539. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former chief justice of India J S Khehar and several Sikh leaders were present at the Prime Minister’s residence to participat­e in the event.

Modi said be it Guru Nanak or Guru Gobind Singh, they have taught us to be on the side of justice.

Following the path shown by them, the central government is trying to get justice for the people who suffered during the 1984 anti-sikh riots, Modi said.

“The central government is making efforts to get justice for the period of injustice which started in 1984. For decades, mothers, sisters, daughters and sons have shed tears, the law will deliver justice, wipe (their) tears,” the PM said.

The PM released a ₹350 denominati­on commemorat­ive silver coin to mark the 350th birth anniversar­y of Guru Gobind Singh.

He described the founder of the Khalsa sect as a warrior and a poet who had immense knowledge of religious scriptures.

Modi said the government now plans to celebrate the 550th birth anniversar­y of Guru Nanak across the country.

Modi said while the event will be held various states and union territorie­s, Indian embassies abroad will also organise programmes as part of the celebratio­ns Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469, in Nankana Sahib, now Pakistan.

Modi said, for the last four years, his government has been making comprehens­ive efforts to bring the cultural and knowledge heritage of India to the world.

“From Yoga to Ayurveda, the country has succeeded in re-establishi­ng its status. This work continues,” he said.

A mistake took place in August, 1947. It (the corridor) is an atonement of the mistake. An important place of our guru was only a few kilometers away. But it could not be made part (of India during partition)...

NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister

 ??  ?? Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi
 ?? PTI ?? Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases a commemorat­ive coin to mark the birth anniversar­y of Guru Gobind Singh in New Delhi on Sunday as former PM Manmohan Singh and SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal (left) look on.
PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases a commemorat­ive coin to mark the birth anniversar­y of Guru Gobind Singh in New Delhi on Sunday as former PM Manmohan Singh and SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal (left) look on.

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