Kartarpur Corridor: The Strategic Backlash Against India

The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan is a juxtaposition of historical and contemporary geopolitical maneuvers. This article delves into why Pakistan has not stopped the corridor initiative despite its ongoing tensions with India, and how this move aligns with Pakistan’s strategic goals.

Historical Context and Strategic Intent

The Kartarpur Corridor is a pilgrimage route that links the Dera Bagh Sahib Sikh gurdwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan, to the Dera Baba Nanaki gurdwara in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, India. Pakistan's initiative to establish the corridor is a clear statement of its strategic intent in the context of Indo-Pak relations.

Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), a key arm of Pakistan's military, has a profound understanding of historical and religious narratives. Its decision to push for the Kartarpur Corridor can be seen as a means to leverage the shared Sikh heritage to foster goodwill and potentially weaken India's narrative in the region.

Unveiling the Mysterious Motive

Why has Pakistan not halted the Kartarpur Corridor despite its enmity with India? The answer lies in Pakistan's desire to build on the Indian Political Service's achievements in creating the “Akali Movement” through their stooges Kartar Singh and Kharag Singh (1923) in Sialkot. These historical figures were instrumental in turning Sikhs against the Aryas, thereby aiding Pakistan's broader strategic goals.

Kartar Singh, a prominent figure in the “Gurudwara reform movement”, was released from life imprisonment in the Andamans by the British through “Royal Clemency.” Together with Kharag Singh, they embarked on this movement, which introduced Islamic concepts to Sikhism, such as the Bhavani icon and displacement of the Suryanarayana idol from the Hari Mandir. This aligns with Pakistan's strategy to weaken India by dividing its allies and supporters.

Historical Manipulation and Current Divide

During the colonial era, British political strategists manipulated Sikh leaders like Kartar Singh and Kharag Singh to manipulate Sikhism. This culminated in the creation of a narrative that pitted Sikhs against the Brahmanic caste system, thereby weakening the Sikh community's distinct identity and unity. The notion that Sikhs are a distinct nation, separate from both Hinduism and Islam, was a crucial aspect of British colonial strategy.

Today, the Sikhs are divided into three factions, each with varying allegiances. The Akali movement, for instance, draws heavily from Islamic concepts like iconoclasm. Meanwhile, the third faction finds more affinity with the British Commonwealth due to their historical integration into the Indian and colonial military structures. This historical divide has been further exacerbated by the British Political Service's infiltration at Sialkot.

Implications and Future Outlook

Any kind of detente with Pakistan remains fraught with danger for India. Pakistan has a long history of waging internal subversion within India, targeting not just military and political structures but also cultural and religious narratives. India must be wary of any initiatives that seem to offer diplomatic benefits, but which may be part of a broader strategic agenda.

Despite these challenges, the Indian government must ensure that the Sikh community's religious freedoms are respected. Opening the Kartarpur Corridor is, in many ways, a recognition of this. However, it is imperative for India to maintain a steadfast stance on truth and historical accuracy, rather than engaging in perpetuating mythologies that have plagued the understanding of Sikhism and its history.

Conclusion: The Kartarpur Corridor should be viewed through the lens of Pakistan's strategy of "Ghazwa e Hind," which seeks to enforce Sharia law on the remnants of Indian civilization. India must navigate this complex geopolitical landscape with caution and a commitment to historical truth. The road ahead requires a balanced approach that respects the rights of all communities while safeguarding national interests.