Sri Amritsar- In a statement issued from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Punjabis are still enduring the anguish of the 1947 Partition. He prayed before the Almighty that such division and bloodshed should never again occur anywhere in the world. He said that all Punjabis—Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims—living in this region regard August 1947 as the time of Punjab’s devastation and division.
Although two separate nations were formed under the two-nation theory, for Punjabis it was a period of ruin. In 1947, Punjab witnessed days of massacres, the destruction of humanity, and divisive politics that tore apart the land of five rivers. The sorrow of this partition still lingers among Punjabis living across the world. He noted that more than one million Punjabis—including Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs—were killed in the massacres of 1947.
Jathedar Gargajj said that in remembrance of all Punjabis who were killed in 1947, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has been organizing an Ardas (Sikh prayer) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. This year, the Sri Akhand Path Sahib commenced on August 14, and its conclusion (bhog) will take place on August 16, followed by a collective prayer to pay homage to those Punjabis killed in 1947. He urged all Punjabis and the sangat to participate wholeheartedly in this Ardas.
He added that in 1947, Punjabis—especially Sikhs—on the western side of Punjab were forced to leave behind their precious and fertile lands due to the partition. They also endured the pain of losing over 200 beloved Sikh Gurdhams (religious places), including the sacred birthplace of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib. This grief has been embedded in daily Sikh prayers, where Sikhs beseech for the opportunity to pay obeisance at these separated gurdwaras.
With the blessings of Guru Sahib and the prayers of the Sikh sangat, Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was opened during the 550th Prakash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, enabling Punjabis from both sides to reunite at Sri Kartarpur Sahib. Many Punjabis who were separated due to 1947 partition got the chance to reunite through Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. However, due to recent tensions between the two nations, the corridor was closed. The Sikh community and Punjabis have been urging the government to reopen it soon.
Jathedar Gargajj emphasized that with the approaching Jyoti Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, reopening Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor beforehand would allow the sangat to pay obeisance at this sacred religious site. He called upon the Government of India to take swift action to reopen the corridor. He prayed for the growth of mutual love and harmony worldwide and that no one should have to endure days like those witnessed by Punjab in 1947.