Tension prevailed at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur after the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday stopped a Sikh group led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from going to the Zero Line at the International Border (IB) to offer prayers for the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor. The BSF cited security reasons for not allowing the delegation to approach the border line.Sikh devotees from India and Pakistan had planned to conduct special ardas at the Zero Line for the reopening of the dedicated corridor leading to Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal district, Pakistan.A nagar kirtan was scheduled to proceed from the Pakistan gurdwara to the Zero Line on Monday under the leadership of Ramesh Singh Arora, president of the PSGPC, to mark the Jyoti Jyot Diwas of Guru Nanak Dev.From the Indian side, on the call of Giani Gargaj, Sikh community members, mostly from Dera Baba Nanak and the surrounding border areas, had gathered.Upon reaching the Zero Line, they were to recite Rehras Sahib (the traditional Sikh evening prayer), perform Gurbani kirtan and offer special prayers, seeking the early reopening of the corridor in accordance with the aspirations of Sikhs on both sides of the border.Sources said the BSF restricted the gathering from approaching the Zero Line, citing border security and protocols. This led to an argument between the two sides.Golden Temple manager Rajinder Singh Ruby and Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak manager Ranjit Singh claimed that the Jathedar’s visit had been discussed in the morning with BSF and Punjab Police officials.The Jathedar had asked the BSF to at least allow five ‘Singhs’ to approach the Zero Line to hand over ‘Rumala Sahibs’ for Sri Guru Granth Sahib and siropas for the Panj Piaras. However, permission was not granted.Expressing displeasure and condemning the Centre, the Jathedar said Sikhs had faced discrimination since 1947.“Since Independence, a line has been drawn but the Sikhs can’t be denied access to their shrines across the border. When the Pakistan government allowed its Sikh community to gain access to the Zero Line, why was there a hitch with the Indian Government,” he said.Talking to The Tribune, the Inspector General, BSF, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele, said the devotees had been requested to remain within the “agreed limits”, but they breached the protocol.“There was a mutual agreement between the Sikh devotees and the local administration that they would be allowed to offer ardas at the gurdwara located just a few yards ahead of the Zero Line. But, they insisted on proceeding towards the Zero Line, which could not be allowed as per the security protocol,” he said.When stopped from approaching the Zero Line, the Jathedar and devotees sat in protest near the barricades. They recited ‘Rehras Sahib’, followed by Shabad kirtan and offered ardas for the reopening of the corridor and peace between the two neighbouring nations.A devotee said across the border, a large Sikh sangat took part in the nagar kirtan and conducted ardas.Meanwhile, the Jathedar announced that he would visit Dera Baba Nanak every month along with sangat to offer ardas for the early reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor. He said once it reopens, he would join the first jatha to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib.The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan, one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines and the place where Guru Nanak Dev spent the final years of his life.Inaugurated in November 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the visa-free corridor enabled Indian pilgrims to visit the historic shrine without requiring a Pakistani visa.