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Chandigarh: The sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol and other intoxicants has been prohibited in Amritsar’s Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib after the Punjab government issued a notification granting them ‘holy city’ status.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in a video message on Sunday, said the decision to accord holy city status to the three places of immense religious significance for Sikhs has now formally come into force with the issuance of the notification.
The move follows a unanimous resolution passed during a special session of the Punjab Assembly held last month at Sri Anandpur Sahib to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Subsequently, on December 15, the state government issued a notification granting holy city status to Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district and the ‘Galiara’ area surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
In his message, Mann highlighted that of the five Takhts in Sikhism, three — Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib) — are located in Punjab, underlining the state’s special responsibility towards preserving their sanctity.
“The Punjab government will ensure all necessary arrangements and facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle services and other public transport, so that devotees coming from across the world face no inconvenience,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that strict regulations will now apply in these holy cities. “The sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited,” Mann said, assuring that development in these areas would be carried out in a manner befitting their religious and cultural significance.
“These cities are not just religious centres, but also vital symbols of our cultural heritage. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh sangat,” the Chief Minister said, adding that with the notification coming into effect, the three places have officially attained the status of holy cities.
