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United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Global Sikh Council urges immediate reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
Chandigarh, July 17 (UNI) Amid the continuing ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the Global Sikh Council (GSC) has strongly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which has remained closed since May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent cross-border tensions. In a statement released today, GSC President Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur and Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal expressed concern over India's unilateral and indefinite suspension of pilgrimages to the sacred Sikh shrine, while Pakistan continues to keep its side of the corridor operational. The closure has left thousands of Sikh devotees worldwide disheartened, unable to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur – the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it said. Dr. Kaur emphasized that the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was created as a symbol of peace and religious harmony, and it should not fall victim to political discord. 'Religious access should not be a casualty of political tensions,' she said in a written appeal to the Indian Prime Minister. 'The Kartarpur Corridor is not just a border route — it is a spiritual artery for the Sikh community across the globe. With peace now prevailing, there is no justification for its continued closure,' the GSC statement read. The Council urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to take immediate steps to restore cross-border pilgrimages. 'Sri Kartarpur Sahib is beyond politics. Its closure on administrative or political grounds deeply hurts the spiritual sentiments of Sikhs around the world,' the statement added. Calling for unified support, the Global Sikh Council has appealed to Sikh institutions, the Punjab government, Members of Parliament, and civil society to press for the reopening of the corridor. The GSC maintains that resuming pilgrimages would reaffirm religious freedom and help foster international goodwill. UNI NB RN
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Global Sikh Council urges unity, affirms Akal Takht's supreme authority
AMRTISAR: The one-upmanship between Akal Takht and Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib has attracted the attention of the UK-based Global Sikh Council (GSC) that has issued an appeal to all Sikh institutions and sangat to recognise only the Sikh's supreme temporal seat, Akal Takht's supremacy, and has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to take action against the persons or institutions undermining Sikh sovereignty. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Lady Singh (Dr Kanwaljit Kaur), President of GSC, informed on Wednesday that regional Takhats, because of their regional jurisdiction, cannot have anything other than regional jurisdiction over local issues. Citing the example of declaring tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President , Kanwaljit said Sukhbir is not a resident of Patna or Bihar, and the alleged allegations against him are not of a regional but national nature. So, he, his party, and his actions are clearly outside the jurisdiction of this regional Takhat, she added. Notably, in the recent past, Takht Sri Patna Sahib declared Sukhbir a tankhaiya, following which Akal Takht declared Patna Sahib's edict null and void. In the past, Akal Takht barred Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar and head 'granthi' Giani Baldev Singh and additional head 'granthi' Gurdial Singh from performing 'panthic' duties. In retaliation, Takht Patna Sahib declared the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gragaj, and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh 'tankhaiya' and also summoned Sukhbir to appear before them, but he didn't. Claiming that GSC encompasses member organisations from across the globe, she said that they are of a unanimous view that Akal Takht holds exclusive jurisdiction over Panthic decisions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Regional Takhts have to function in coordination with and under the leadership of Akal Takht, which remains the central institution of Sikh governance and unity under the 'Panj Pardhani' system,' said she, while adding that it is tragic that a revered Takht like Patna Sahib is being exploited by political proxies to fragment Sikh unity and bypass established religious conventions at their behest. However, she didn't identify the political proxies fragmenting Sikh unity. 'GSC has urged all Sikh institutions and sangat to recognise only Akal Takht's supremacy, and we have also asked the SGPC to take action against erring committee members who are undermining Sikh sovereignty,' said Kanwaljit Kaur while also asking the Patna Sahib committee to introspect.
