Punjab’s holy cities: Meat, alcohol, tobacco now officially prohibited; CM Mann calls decision historic

CHANDIGARH: The sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances is now prohibited in Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo, and Anandpur Sahib after the Punjab govt recently issued a notification granting them ‘holy city' status.In a video message on Sunday, chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab govt, by issuing a notification granting these places connected with the Sikh religion the status of holy cities, implemented a historic decision. Earlier, the Punjab assembly had last month unanimously passed a resolution declaring Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, and the Walled City of Amritsar as holy cities.Mann said, "The state govt in Punjab has taken a historic decision by issuing a notification to grant Sikh religious cities the status of holy cities. The announcement was made in Sri Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of the state-level function to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji."He added that of the five Sikh takhts, three are located in Punjab, including Akal Takht at Amritsar, Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, and Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo.

The cities associated with these sacred takhts have now officially been granted the status of centres of faith and holy cities. "In these cities, the sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited," he said.The resolution in this regard was moved by Mann during a special session of the Punjab assembly held in Anandpur Sahib, which was convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Mann also promised the state govt will ensure all necessary facilities for devotees visiting these holy cities. "Punjab govt will make all necessary arrangements and provide facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle buses, and other public transport services, to ensure devotees arriving from across the world do not face any inconvenience," he said.On Dec 15, Punjab govt issued a notification declaring the Walled City of Amritsar in Amritsar district, the city of Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district, and the city of Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district as holy cities of Punjab. The notification formally accords these historically and religiously significant cities special status in recognition of their spiritual importance and global faith-based relevance, said an official.