Khalistan Movement unnerves Indian govt

ISLAMABAD: The Khalistan Movement and Sikh’s struggle for separate homeland has unnerved the Indian government badly. New Delhi official sources claimed that India will take up the question of Sikh’s conduct in availing Kartarpur Corridor and promoting case of their separate homeland when the two countries will enter into dialogue today (Thursday) at Attari.

The sources hinted that New Delhi will ask Pakistan to insulate Sikh pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib through the Kartarpur Corridor from Khalistan separatist propaganda. Pakistan has already discarded the impression and it is expected that Pakistan’s delegation leader for Attari talks Dr. Muhammad Fasial Chaudhary wouldn’t entertain Indian position and impress upon his Indian interlocutors to refrain from politicking the occasion since Pakistan doesn’t want to harm the reverence of the event.

According to Indian media reports India will raise the issue during the first meeting with Pakistan to finalise the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor on Thursday. The meeting will take place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border, they said. Last year in November, India had lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the alleged harassment of Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad and the denial of access to Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting the country.

India had also expressed “grave concern” over reports of attempts during the pilgrims’ visit to “incite” communal disharmony and “promote secessionist tendencies” with an aim to undermine India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

There were reports that pro-Khalistan banners were shown to the Indian pilgrims while they were on their way to the two Sikh shrines. In the meanwhile sources told The News that Sikhs came across the world had availed the occasion to highlight their just struggle