Its like a price tag on our faith: Harsimrat Kaur over Kartarpur tax

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal expressed her displeasure over the imposition of a pilgrim fee by Pakistan for pilgrims visiting Kartarpur. "The Sikhs would have been happy if, in order to visit their Guru's place, they didn't have to pay this fee. I consider this as a 'tax' and a price has been tagged upon our faith. This has left me disappointed," she said while addressing the media. 

"I'm happy that a university is being opened under Guru Nanak Dev Ji's name. But I would have been happier if the USD 20 fee that they (Paki stan) have imposed is done away with, " said Badal, adding, "It is is perhaps the first time in the world that a pilgrim has to pay in order to visit a holy site." Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University in Punjab province's Nankana Sahib.

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Heavy on pockets of poor

"I'm sad because the poor, daily labourers, auto-rickshaw drivers, can't afford this Rs 1,500 fee for the pilgrimage. The transportation costs can add another Rs 6,000 to 7,000 to their expenses. They won't be able to visit their Guru's place this year," added Badal.

Earlier too, Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal had slammed Imran Khan and his government for charging a service fee of USD 20 from pilgrims who will be visiting the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara through the Kartarpur Corridor which is set to open in November. The minister has alleged Pakistan of "making a business out of people's faith". Kaur also said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's statements on the fee boosting the country's economy are "atrocious".

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Punjab CM hopeful of fee rollback

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had expressed hope that Pakistan will eventually waive the USD 20 fee imposed on the pilgrims from India visiting Sri Kartarpur Sahib. It was earlier reported that Pakistan had planned to levy a tax on devotees from the Sikh community visiting the Kartarpur Corridor from India. India and Pakistan had both agreed on visa-free travel to the Kartarpur Corridor.

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"Pakistan will eventually understand the Sikh sentiment and tradition, which bars the community from paying to visit gurdwaras and temples, and will, in due course, waive off the USD 20 fee imposed on Indian pilgrims visiting Sri Kartarpur Sahib," the Punjab CM had said. He had also asked Imran Khan to facilitate 'khulle darshan deedar’ of the Kartarpur Sahib.

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