Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared Sri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Amritsar, especially the areas around the Golden Temple, as 'sacred' on Sunday in a video. Any kind of intoxicating substances such as liquor, meat, tobacco and other intoxicants will no longer be available in these three cities.
Last month, during a special session on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to ban liquor and intoxicants. Following this, on December 15, the Punjab government issued a notification declaring these three cities as 'sacred'.
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On this day, Bhagwant Mann announced the imposition of strict restrictions in these three cities through a video message. He said that these cities are not just pilgrimage sites, but also symbols of our cultural heritage. Therefore, the sale of meat, liquor, tobacco and any kind of intoxicants is completely prohibited here. He stated that three of the five takhts (five most important Sikh Gurdwaras) of the Sikhs are located in Punjab, hence this decision.
Pilgrims come to the Golden Temple from different parts of the world, alongside Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. The Punjab Chief Minister also assured that all necessary public transport arrangements, including e-rickshaws, mini buses, shuttle buses would be made available to ensure pilgrims face no inconvenience.
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Along with promising infrastructure development, Bhagwant Mann said, 'I extend heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh community. This decision came into effect immediately with the issuance of the notification. The cities have officially received the status of sacred cities.'
