Punjab Government Bans Meat, Alcohol, Tobacco At Three Holy Cities

In a significant move, the Punjab government has prohibited the sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol, and other intoxicants in Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib, following their designation as ‘holy cities’.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced in a video message on Sunday that the decision to grant holy city status to these three locations, which hold great reverence among Sikhs, has taken effect with the issuance of the official notification.

This decision follows a unanimous resolution passed last month during a special session of the Punjab Assembly in Sri Anandpur Sahib, held 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, and the ‘Galiara’ area surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

In his message, Chief Minister Mann highlighted that Punjab is home to three of the five ‘takhts’ of Sikhs: Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda), and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib).

“The Punjab government will make all necessary arrangements and provide facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle buses and other public transport services, to ensure that devotees arriving from across the world do not face any inconvenience,” he said.

The chief minister said strict regulations will now apply in the holy cities. “Sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited,” he said.

He assured that the cities will have appropriate development. “These cities are not only religious centres but also a very important symbol of our cultural heritage.” “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh Sangat,” Mann said.

“With the issuance of the notification, the decision has now come into effect, and the cities have officially attained the status of holy cities,” he added.