Rocky road to Kartarpur

Pakistan is back to its old crafty ways of playing divisive communal politics with India. The grand announcement of the Kartarpur corridor proposal and subsequent talks have seen Pakistan haggle over the number of pilgrims, mode of entry, and who actually qualifies as a pilgrim. Wanting to have complete control over entry, Pakistan is keen only on Sikhs, ignoring the reverence Hindus, too, have for the Sikh Guru; is opposed to foot-crossing; and wants to deny access to people of Indian origin with the PIO/OCI card. In the latest, and one that raises grave doubts over its intentions, it has come to India’s knowledge that Pakistan has on its 10-member Kartarpur panel ‘Khalistani elements’. Piqued, and rightly so, India has objected to their nomination to the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Pakistan’s ‘move’ does nothing to address the yawning trust deficit. 

Known better as ISI stooges, these mischievous elements have no personal or institutional integrity or credibility. They are learnt to have made inflammatory statements against India from time to time, including the advocacy of violence against it. This is sure to rile any sovereign country. Kartarpur is an emotionally loaded subject for Punjab. If Pakistan is truly sincere about its efforts, it must prove so beyond any measure of doubt. Cooking its goose by stoking the communal fire will be counterproductive for any meaningful going-forward. 

PM Imran Khan’s corridor offer was, irrefutably, a welcome departure from the standard script. Sensitive to the religious sentiments of Sikhs, India took up the offer — even in a charged atmosphere post Uri — albeit with guarded enthusiasm, because it was ‘open-ended’, with a promise of easy round-the-year entry. But the fact that Pakistan is unwilling to accommodate India’s requests and address its security concerns gives credence to the sneaking suspicion about its real agenda. Pakistan can’t bring to the table its worn-out, rusty tricks. It is a game which two can play. But then, it will be no passage to peace.