Punjab govt declares Sri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo & Amritsar as holy cities, imposing ban on meat, alcohol & tobacco sales

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): On the historic occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Mann government of Punjab has made a big announcement keeping the religious faith of the Sikhs paramount. The government has officially given the status of 'Holy City' to Shri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and the corridor of Shri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. With this announcement, a complete ban has been imposed on the sale of liquor, meat and tobacco at these three religious places. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made this announcement after the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha held in Shri Anandpur Sahib.

This session was historic in itself because for the first time in the history of Punjab, the assembly session was held at a place other than Chandigarh. CM Mann said that three Sikh Takhts are adorned on the land of Punjab, hence it is our duty to maintain the sanctity of these cities. He also promised to release special funds from the government for the cleanliness and maintenance of these holy cities. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal, calling it a respect for the sentiments of crores of people, said that for a long time the Sangat had demanded that these holy places be free from intoxicants and meat and alcohol.

The session was marked by religious devotion as well as political tension. Opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa indirectly targeted the Delhi court, saying that Punjabis were being tested, something only the people of Punjab could stop. BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma strongly retorted to Bajwa's statement. Sharma emotionally declared that today was not a day of politics, but a day to honor martyrdom. He recalled that Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect the tilak and sacred thread, which at that time were not just symbols of the Pandits but of Sanatan Dharma.