The Punjab Assembly banned the sale and consumption of alcohol, meat, tobacco and other intoxicants in three cities of the state after unanimously passing a resolution declaring them holy. The Punjab government has declared Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the Galiara area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar as holy cities.
According to the resolution, a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor, meat and tobacco products is placed in these places. The resolution was introduced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session of the Punjab Assembly convened to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib.
It was also the first time that the Vidhan Sabha session was held outside the capital of Punjab to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur. Also read | Haryana bans sale of tobacco, intoxicants within 1 km of schools — Here’s everything you need to know
Apart from declaring the three cities holy, the state government is also organizing events to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru from Sunday, November 23. The event will continue today, November 25.
The chief minister was speaking to reporters at Anandpur Sahib shortly after the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the Galiara area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar as holy cities.
Bhagwant Mann said that for decades people have been demanding holy city status for these places. “Our government is blessed to have taken this decision. The emergency session will be remembered for a long time because of this move,” said Bhagwant Mann.
There are five “Takhts” of the Sikhs, of which three – Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib).
The Chief Minister said that these places are not only religious centers but also symbols of our civilizational heritage. “Declaring them as holy cities was not just a demand of one political party, community or religion, rather it was a crucial step to preserve and promote our cultural heritage globally,” he said.
The state government will ensure holistic development of these cities besides boosting religious tourism in them, the Punjab CM added.
