Kartarpur- what does it convey (English version) Amar Ujala 30 Nov 18
https://www.amarujala.com/columns/opinion/what-is-the-real-intention-of-pakistan?src=top-lead
Kartarpur- what does it convey (English version) Amar Ujala 30 Nov 18
Pakistan agreeing to open the Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit the famous Kartarpur sahib Gurdwara is a welcome step, however needs to be viewed with caution. The Gurdwara is located inside Pak, approximately 3–4 Kms from the international border. The Gurdwara was established in 1522 by the First Sikh Guru on the banks of the river Ravi. It is an important place of pilgrimage as Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his last 18 years there. The demand for the opening of the corridor has been on the cards for decades. India first proposed the same in 1988.
On 22 Nov, in a cabinet meeting chaired by the PM, the cabinet agreed on establishing the corridor. The ground-breaking ceremony on the Indian side was conducted jointly by the Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu and Capt Amarinder Singh, the CM of Punjab. Two ministers alongside Navjot Sidhu, attended the ceremony conducted by the Pak PM, Imran Khan, on the Pak side.
Amarinder during his address at the ground-breaking ceremony criticized the Pak army chief and stated, ‘Which army teaches to violate ceasefire and kill jawans on the other side? Which army teaches to send people to attack Amritsar and Pathankot? This is cowardice?’ It was on this perception that he refused to attend the event on the Pak side. He also opposed the participation of Navjot Sidhu for the same.
J and K political parties alongside pro-Pak supporters felt that this step would be a step towards peace and resolution of the Kashmir tangle. Navjot Sidhu termed the Kartarpur corridor as ‘a corridor of infinite possibilities.’ He stated in Lahore that such initiatives would promote peace and erase enmity between India and Pak. PM Modi likened the Kartarpur corridor as the ‘fall of the Berlin wall’. Imran Khan in his address again hinted on talks, without any mention of curbing terror groups.
There is no doubt the Pak would have carefully evaluated the impact of opening this corridor. It was hinted by their army chief, General Bajwa, when he met Sidhu during the swearing in of Imran Khan as the PM. Hence, the thought behind the opening of the corridor would not have come from the Pak government but their army. Thus, the presence of the army chief at the event.
Recently, when Indian pilgrims visited the Gurdwara, members of the Indian consulate in Islamabad were prevented from entering the Gurdwara and forced to turn back. They were not stopped by security personnel of Pak but by a known Khalistan sympathiser, Gopal Singh Chawla and his associates. Chawla is known to be close to Hafiz Saeed and the Pak ISI. The Gurdwara had posters of the Khalistan referendum 2020 as also greetings from Chawla. The posters were also evident during the ground-breaking event.
In early Oct, the Pak Foreign Ministry spokesperson had stated that Pakistan’s decision to open the corridor would depend on whether India holds talks with Pak or not. He stated that the decision to open the corridor, ‘will not see any forward movement if India does not hold talks with Pakistan’. They were attempting to threaten the government, hoping it would be pressurized. Their approach changed shortly thereafter. The decision to open therefore must have had multiple motives.
The first possible motive is to change their image projection amongst the Sikh community, both in India and Pak. Since the end of the Khalistan militancy in the eighties, Punjab has seen immense development. Elements keen to reignite the Khalistan movement remain but are controlled. In recent times over 80 Pak sponsored Khalistan modules have been busted in Punjab and many operatives arrested. However, new recruits have been few and far. This step could win more hearts.
With the J and K militancy slowly receding, especially with winters setting in and daily elimination of militants, they are desperate to revive the Punjab militancy. Pak cannot let peace prevail in India as it continues to battle multiple groups including the TTP and BFM. The recent blast in Amritsar and statements by CM Amarinder Singh on Pak involvement in the blast point to this.
They also know that by opening the corridor they would win the trust of the international Sikh community including pro-Khalistan groups. Through them, Pak hopes to win the confidence of Indian Sikh youth, whom they seek to recruit. Those who visit the Gurdwara would be given sessions on Khalistan and encouraged to challenge the state.
Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro Khalistan movement based in the US, issued a circular stating that it plans to conduct a “Kartarpur Sahib Convention -2019” in Pakistan coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. During this convention it plans to open voter registration at Kartarpur Sahib as also provide inputs on the referendum which it plans for 2020.
SFJ legal advisor, Pannun, stated ‘Kartarpur sahib convention will be the first ever gathering of Sikh separatists from foreign countries with Sikhs from Punjab.’ SFJ plans to sponsor and host 10,000 Sikhs from Punjab. They term the corridor as a ‘Bridge to Khalistan’.
Secondly, the opening of the corridor would enhance easier movement of radicalised youth or those whom their agents seek to radicalize. With posters donning messages of the Khalistan referendum 2020 as also welcoming messages from Gopal Singh Chawla during the recent visit of pilgrims and the ground-breaking ceremony, convincing the Sikh population to support the movement would be easier. In a video message doing the rounds on social media, Chawla also terms the opening of the corridor as a ‘bridge to Khalistan’.
Since the corridor has religious significance and would benefit the Sikh community, no government can afford to turn it down. Thus, Pak has played the religious card to its advantage. The corridor would open, however security implications flowing from it would need to be considered and remedial measures implemented prior to its opening. It is evident that Pak would not consider Indian security concerns, hence the responsibility for the same would rest squarely on Indian security agencies.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army