Punjab bans sale of liquor, tobacco, other items in 3 cities declared holy by govt; check names

Punjab Assembly bans liquor, meat and tobacco in holy cities

The Punjab government has recently passed an order banning the sale and consumption of liquor, meat, tobacco and other intoxicating substances in three new holy cities. The state government has declared Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and Galiara district around the Golden Temple in Amritsar as holy cities.

The decision states that intoxicating substances, including alcohol and tobacco, should not be sold or even consumed in these cities, which are now labeled as holy cities. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the resolution at a special session of the Punjab Assembly, which met to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Anandpur Sahib.

CM Bhagwant Mann called the special session of the Punjab Assembly a “historic moment” as the session was also the first of its kind to be held outside the capital of Punjab specifically to pay tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Punjab recognizes three new holy cities

Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly was “historic” and noted that Prime Minister Bhagwant Mann had officially declared three important places, Shri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Shri Amritsar Sahib, as holy cities during the hearings. “… In the special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly held today, CM Bhagwant Mann recognized 3 historical places of Punjab, Shri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Shri Amritsar Sahib as holy cities… It was a historic session,” Kataruchak told ANI.

The session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly was part of the ongoing three-day commemoration of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniversary held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on Monday, starting from Sunday (November 23).

Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur

Guru Tegh Bahadur, called “Hind di Chadar”, sacrificed his life in 1675 to support the right to freedom of religion. His martyrdom holds an important place in the socio-religious history of India and symbolizes the defense of pluralism and civil liberties. The state government said the celebration aims to raise awareness about its teachings on compassion, equality and resilience. Commemorating the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur serves to honor and preserve the legacy of the ninth Sikh Guru, while promoting the religious sentiments of the people. Sikhs celebrate the day with special prayers at Gurdwaras across the country.