- Punjab government issues notification granting ‘holy city’ status
- Complete ban on meat, alcohol, tobacco and intoxicants in notified areas
- Decision follows unanimous resolution of Punjab Assembly
- State to provide transport and civic facilities for devotees
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 22nd Dec: The Punjab government has formally prohibited the sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicants in Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib after issuing a notification granting them ‘holy city’ status.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in a video message on Sunday, said the decision has now come into force. The three locations are among the most revered religious centres for Sikhs.
The decision follows a unanimous resolution passed during a special session of the Punjab Assembly held at Sri Anandpur Sahib last month, convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Subsequently, on December 15, the state government issued a notification extending holy city status to Talwandi Sabo and the Galiara area surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar Walled City.
Mann noted that out of the five Sikh Takhts, three — Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar, Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib — are located in Punjab, making it the state’s responsibility to preserve their sanctity.
“The sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco and any intoxicating substances will now be completely prohibited in these holy cities,” the Chief Minister said. He added that the government would ensure adequate facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses and shuttle services, to facilitate the movement of devotees visiting from across the world.
Assuring planned development, Mann said these cities are not only religious centres but also vital symbols of Punjab’s cultural and spiritual heritage. He congratulated the Sikh Sangat, stating that with the notification coming into effect, the holy city status has now been officially implemented.
