The Punjab Assembly has approved a major resolution declaring three locations in the state as holy cities, enforcing a full ban on the sale and consumption of liquor, meat, tobacco and other intoxicants.
The newly designated holy cities include Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, and the Galiara area surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
The resolution was presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session of the Punjab Assembly, organised in Anandpur Sahib to honour the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
This historic session also marked the first time that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha convened outside the state capital.
As part of the anniversary observance, the state government has been conducting a series of events since Sunday, November 23, which will continue through November 25.
Speaking to reporters after the unanimous passage of the resolution, Mann reiterated the long-standing public demand for this recognition.
“For decades, people have been demanding holy-city status for these places,” he said to MINT
“Our government is blessed to have taken this decision. The special session will be remembered for a long time for this move,” Bhagwant Mann said TO Mint.
With the declaration now official, a complete prohibition on the sale and consumption of alcohol, meat and tobacco products will take effect in the designated areas.
The chief minister said these places are not just religious centres but also symbols of our civilisational heritage.
“Declaring them holy cities was not just a demand by a single political party, community or religion, rather, it was an essential step toward the preservation and global promotion of our cultural heritage,” he said to mint.
The state government will ensure the holistic development of these cities besides accelerating religious tourism in them, the Punjab CM added.