Congress endorses Kartarpur corridor opening, condemns Pak army cheif's rant

Even as it condemned Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa for "vowing to avenge bloodshed on the border", the Congress on Friday endorsed Pakistans move to open Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims.

Reacting to General Bajwa's offensive, Congress spokesperson R.P.N. Singh wondered why the Modi government was not able to give a befitting reply to Pakistan's continuous rants.

"We condemn it (Bajwa's remarks) in strong words. Pakistan continues to make such statements, but one should ask the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) about the Government's response to these statements," Singh told the media.

"The government must give a befitting reply to Pakistan whenever it points fingers and tries to condemn the sacrifices of our soldiers and citizens," he said.

Addressing the Defence Day ceremony in Rawalpindi Bajwa said: "We will avenge the blood flowing on the border."

Reacting to Pakistan's opening the religious corridor, Singh said it was good move for the people of India.

"If Sikh pilgrims are allowed to visit the holy shrine, it is something which is very good for the people of India," said Singh.

Singh's remarks follow Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu thanking his "friend" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for enabling the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.

"I thank you Khan Saab (Imran Khan) a million times for doing this," Sidhu said on the opening of the corridor which will allow pilgrims from India to go to a gurdwara in Pakistan, close to the India-Pakistan border, which is associated with Guru Nanak Dev.

Sidhu, however, drew flak from the BJP, which said the praise was an "insult to India and Modi".

"This has become a habit with the Congress to insult our Prime Minister and praise that of the neighbouring country," BJP Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.--IANS

and/sid/prs