The Punjab government has taken a significant step by officially designating three historic towns as holy cities, imposing immediate restrictions on the sale of specific items within their limits. The state administration issued a formal notification on Monday, granting the sacred status to the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district.
Official Notification and Immediate Bans
The notification, issued by Punjab Home Secretary Alok Shekhar, states that the Governor of Punjab is pleased to declare these three cities as the Holy Cities of the State. This administrative action follows a resolution passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on November 24. With the notification now in effect, the government has directed the secretaries of the excise, health, and animal husbandry departments to ensure a ban on the sale of liquor, tobacco, cigarettes, and meat within the precincts of the walled city of Amritsar and the municipal limits of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo.
Historical and Religious Significance
The move holds deep religious importance for the Sikh community. These three cities are home to three of the five Takhts, or seats of authority, in Sikhism. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is located in Amritsar, Sri Damdama Sahib is in Talwandi Sabo, and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib is in Sri Anandpur Sahib. The resolution to declare them holy cities was moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a day-long special session of the state assembly convened in Anandpur Sahib. This special session was held to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, adding a layer of historical solemnity to the decision.
Government's Vision and Future Plans
While moving the resolution, Chief Minister Mann outlined the government's vision for these newly designated holy cities. He emphasized that the state will make dedicated efforts for their development, cleanliness, security, and the promotion of religious tourism. Mann assured that the Punjab government will allocate a necessary budget for this purpose and will also seek funds from the central government. He stated that this financial support is imperative to preserve and spread the legacy of these spiritually significant places for future generations. The government's focus appears to be on enhancing the sanctity and infrastructure of these cities to cater to pilgrims and uphold their religious stature.
The formal declaration culminates the legislative process that began with the Vidhan Sabha resolution last month. It represents a major policy decision aimed at preserving the religious character of these key Sikh pilgrimage sites. The ban on the sale of meat, liquor, and tobacco is the first concrete step in enforcing the 'holy city' status, aligning the commercial activities within these areas with their spiritual ethos.
