Amritsar, November 26: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Monday laid the foundation stone of Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor in Punjab's Gurdaspur. This comes after both India and Pakistan recently accepted the demand of the Sikh community to built a religious corridor linking India to a historic gurudwara in Pakistan's Kartarpur which is the resting place of Guru Nanak. Kartarpur Corridor: PM Narendra Modi Invokes Berlin Wall, Says Diplomatic Move Can Connect People Together.
The decision to built the corridor was taken on November 22 by Union Cabinet of India. On the same day, Pakistan's foreign affairs minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will lay the foundation stone of Kartarpur corridor on November 28. Punjab Minister SS Randhawa Protests Against SAD Leaders' Names on Foundation Stone, Puts Black Tape on His And CM’s Name.
Speaking at the event on Monday, Amarinder Singh, taking a note on increasing ceasefire, asked Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa that "Which Army teaches to violate ceasefire and kill jawans on the other side? Which Army teaches to send people to attack Pathankot and Amritsar? This is cowardness."
I would like to ask Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa something, as a soldier. Which Army teaches to violate ceasefire and kill jawans on the other side? Which Army teaches to send ppl to attack Pathankot and Amritsar? This is cowardness: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh pic.twitter.com/mwtDvrRVqm
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2018
He further added, "I am warning you ( referring to Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa), we are also Punjabis, you will not be allowed to enter here and vitiate the atmosphere."
#WATCH I am warning you(Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Bajwa), we are also Punjabis, you will not be allowed to enter here and vitiate the atmosphere: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh pic.twitter.com/ACk82SYHRg
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2018
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, mentioning it as a historic day, on Twitter said, "Today is a historic day when foundation laying of Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor is taking place. This day will be cherished in times to come when pilgrims will regularly visit the holy shrine across the international border hassle free." Sushma Swaraj Won't Attend Kartarpur Corridor Opening in Pakistan.
Today is a historic day, when foundation laying of Dera Baba Nanak-Kartarpur Sahib corridor is taking place. This day will be cherished in times to come when pilgrims will regularly visit the holy shrine across the international boarder hassle free.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) November 26, 2018
He further added, "The initiative of our Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for building the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will go down in history."
The initiative of our Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for building the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will go down in history.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) November 26, 2018
Earlier, The Pakistan government has invited External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor on November 28.
However, Punjab CM declined the invitation citing terrorism by Pakistan. While Swaraj declined citing her prior commitments. Later, Swaraj nominated Hardeep Singh Puri and Harsimrat Kaur Badal as Indian government representative for the event.
India's move of accepting the invitation was welcomed by the Pakistan government and they termed it as 'positive' response from India. In the Meantime, Sidhu has also accepted the invitation and is currently waiting for the approval from External affairs.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).