The recent government decision to declare the historic walled city of Amritsar a "holy city" has done more than just make a policy announcement. It has quietly woven itself into the fabric of daily life, becoming a topic of light-hearted debate and playful banter within households, especially those divided by the old city walls.
A New Twist to Family Conversations
For many residents, the change is less about the impending rules—which are yet to be fully implemented—and more about a newfound sense of identity. A humorous divide has emerged, with those living inside the walled city now jokingly referring to themselves as "holy," while teasing their relatives residing outside the ancient boundaries about living in an "unholy" area.
Balkar Singh, who lives in a private colony on Fatehgarh Churian Road outside the walls, has experienced this shift firsthand. His brother, Mukhtar Singh, resides in Namak Mandi within the walled city. Since the declaration, whenever the families meet, Mukhtar's children proudly proclaim their belonging to the 'holy city,' a point that initially sparked fun but soon created subtle awkwardness for Balkar's children when the teasing was repeated.
"At first, it was all in fun," Balkar shared. "But my children started feeling a little awkward when their cousins repeated it again and again." The friendly rivalry soon became a two-way street. Balkar's son recently joked that if his cousins ever craved chicken, they might have to visit his house, hinting that cooking non-vegetarian food at their 'holy' home could soon face restrictions.
Policy Decisions Influencing Social Behaviour
The playful dynamic has even altered long-standing family routines. The brothers, who often shared evening drinks, usually met at Mukhtar's house inside the walls. Now, that too is part of the humour. "He tells me that since I live in a modern area, I should host more often," Balkar said with a smile, noting the role reversal.
A similar story unfolds in the family of Ashok Kumar, who lives inside the walled city, while his elder brother Inder Kumar lives outside. Ashok observed that the situation highlights how a simple policy label can subtly influence social interactions and perceptions, creating a new, albeit playful, social divide.
For families like these, the ancient walls of Amritsar have never been about building barriers but about weaving shared stories—stories now punctuated with laughter, gentle teasing, and the underlying understanding that family bonds ultimately transcend any new definition of holiness.
Official Actions and Vendor Uncertainties
Amidst the family banter, the practical implications of the 'holy city' declaration are beginning to take shape for businesses. Jai Inder Singh, joint commissioner of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation, stated that 34 licensed meat shops inside the walled city saw their permits expire on December 31 and will not be renewed. Furthermore, over 100 meat vendors (rehri wallahs) have been instructed to either relocate outside the walled city or switch to selling vegetarian products.
Similarly, some kiosks (khokhas) selling tobacco and cigarettes have already been moved out, with primary enforcement in such cases falling under the civil surgeon's department. "The majority of these people have sought some time from us," Jai Inder Singh added.
However, on the ground, uncertainty lingers. Rajinder Kumar, who runs a fish shop inside Hall Gate, mentioned that while verbal assurances about being provided with alternate locations outside the walled city have been given, no concrete progress or official relocation notices have been received so far.
Thus, as the administration works on the implementation, the residents of Amritsar are navigating the change in their own unique, personal ways—turning a governmental decree into a chapter of their everyday family lore.
