Punjab Designates Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo as Holy Cities with Strict Religious Preservation Measures

Punjab government has officially designated Amritsar's walled city, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district as Holy Cities of the state, implementing extensive restrictions to maintain their religious significance.

The Department of Home Affairs in Punjab issued an official notification confirming the Governor's approval of this declaration. Various governmental departments have been instructed to enforce specific prohibitions within the designated boundaries of these three cities.

According to the notification, the Excise Department must restrict the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within Amritsar's walled city and the municipal limits of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. The Health and Family Welfare Department has been ordered to prohibit the sale and use of cigarettes, tobacco products, and other intoxicants in these sacred areas.

Furthermore, the Animal Husbandry Department has been directed to ban meat sales and consumption within these holy cities' notified boundaries. The Local Government Department and the Deputy Commissioners of Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Bathinda have been tasked with ensuring rigorous implementation of these directives.

Additional Chief Secretary of Home Affairs, Alok Shekhar, signed the notification, which will appear in Punjab's official Gazette.

This decision aligns with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's previous announcement that Sri Anandpur Sahib would be developed as a heritage street city. While addressing a gathering there, Mann urged citizens to preserve the historic Sikh town's sanctity and spiritual character.

His statement followed a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly held in Anandpur Sahib during the three-day commemoration of Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary.

"A heritage street will be built in Anandpur Sahib. You will soon witness a major transformation in the city. Now it is our collective responsibility to uphold its sanctity," the Chief Minister had stated.