Kartarpur went to Pakistan due to lack of vision of Congress leaders: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today blasted the Congress for giving away Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur to Pakistan.

"The lust for power led to Partition in 1947, the division was also on lines of religion. Congress made these mistakes for the sake of power and their impatience led to this situation. And one of the results of this led to Kartarpur being given to Pakistan. The lack of vision and sensitivity on part of Congress led to this situation. Had they shown a little bit of prudence and maturity, a place just 3km from the border would not have gone to Pakistan," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Hanumangarh, in poll-bound Rajasthan.

Then Congress leaders had no idea about importance of Guru Nanak Dev, therefore Kartarpur is in Pakistan today, the prime minister added.

He also said, "Even after 70 years, they (Congress) still ignored this. What they ignored for 70 years, we did it in our term and now every pilgrim will be able to visit the gurudwara. Congress should be as asked and be held accountable for this. It is my fate to rectify their mistakes. And my fate was made by the citizens of this country. If we can now go to Kartarpur today - who should be credited for this? Your vote.

Recently, both India and Pakistan announced the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor to connect the Sikh holy shrine in Pakistan to India On November 26, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu had laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan last week held the groundbreaking ceremony for the corridor, after his government reciprocated India's efforts to open the corridor.

The much-awaited corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district.

The corridor is expected to be ready before Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary next year.

Captain Amarinder Singh government in Punjab has already announced a slew of development projects to upgrade infrastructure and other facilities for the pilgrims expected to visit the area to mark the Guru Nanak's birth anniversary. The state government has already kicked off year-long celebrations on November 23.