Pak to safeguard land tilled by Guru Nanak

The 30 acres around Kartarpur gurdwara will be kept construction-free, says Pakistan Minister

The Pakistan government has decided to keep 30 acres of land around the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara free of construction, said the country’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

Congress leader and a Minister in the Punjab government Navjot Singh Sidhu had written a letter to the Pakistani government, requesting Prime Minister Imran Khan to keep the land in Narowal district of Punjab out of construction as it was used by Guru Nanak for cultivation.

Mr. Chaudhry said the 30-acre land would remain untouched in the honour of Guru Nanak. “By using biotechnology, the same vegetables and crops will be grown there that grew there during Guru Nanak’s time,” Mr. Chaudhry told The Hindu . “Despite the tensions between India and Pakistan, we believe in peace and will not indulge in any kind of politicking over Kartarpur.”

“Pakistan’s Foreign Office suggested that we allow 500 Sikh pilgrims everyday but India has asked for 5,000. We are working on it and will accommodate maximum yatris,” he said at a press conference late last week.

Author and historian Fakir S. Aijazuddin said this was the site where Guru Nanak passed away so this particular land was very sacred and had a historical significance. “We have the old Kartarpur while the Indians have the new Kartarpur,” he said.

Mr. Sidhu has welcomed Pakistan’s decision. “It is indeed a cup of joy for the Sikhs world over!,” he told The Hindu in Chandigarh. “Anything that fulfils the wishes of 12 crore Nanak Naam Leva Sikhs is exemplary and worth gratitude.” Mr. Sidhu added the land that Guru Nanak ploughed with his hand would now inspire generations to come.

“Baba Nanak’s message ‘ Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Vand Sakho ’ (meditate, honestly earn by one’s physical and mental effort and share wealth within the community) is immortal,” he added.

(Originally published in The Hindu)

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