Shakargarh : Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, stated that the recent destruction could have been avoided if India had diverted excess water toward Rajasthan instead of releasing it into Pakistan’s rivers.
Speaking to the media and Sikh leaders in Kartarpur, Narowal, Arora said that on the morning of August 27, severe flooding hit Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
He recalled that at Darshan Deorhi, the water level reached as high as nine feet.
According to him, between 80 to 100 people trapped inside the complex were successfully rescued, while Punjab’s Chief Minister personally visited Narowal and immediately ordered the dewatering of Kartarpur.
Arora confirmed that water had been drained from the shrine on the Chief Minister’s instructions, adding that the Field Marshal also visited the site and pledged to restore Kartarpur’s spiritual charm, making it even better than before.
He further remarked that the Field Marshal’s affection for the Sikh community has left a strong impression even on India’s top leaders.
“The Prime Minister and Chief Minister embrace the Sikh community, heal their wounds, and this is why Sikhs love Pakistan,” he noted.
Criticizing India’s handling of floodwaters, Arora said: “India released 250,000 cusecs of water into Ravi, 950,000 cusecs into Chenab, and 300,000 cusecs into Sutlej.
Instead of drowning Pakistan, India should have channeled this water into its closed canals and reservoirs. This mismanagement caused the devastation.”
He added that whenever he highlights this issue in the media, Indian outlets harshly criticize him, though senior Congress leaders have admitted that diverting water to Rajasthan could have prevented the disaster.
The provincial minister expressed hope that worship and religious rituals in Kartarpur would resume soon.
However, electricity restoration remains pending, with GEPCO teams currently inspecting the situation.
He assured that the Punjab government is providing food and clean drinking water to those affected.
Concluding his remarks, Arora emphasized that the Punjab government, Sikh Sangat, Project Management Unit, Evacuee Trust Property Board, and the Gurdwara Management Committee are working collectively.
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“The bond between Pakistan and the Sikh community is like flesh and nail — inseparable,” he affirmed.
