Punjab Designates Three Sikh Heartlands as “Holy Cities,” Imposes Ban on Meat, Liquor & Tobacco

In a landmark unanimous resolution, the Punjab Assembly declared Amritsar’s Walled City, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities, imposing a full prohibition on the sale and consumption of meat, liquor, tobacco, and other intoxicants. The decision, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was taken during a special session held in Anandpur Sahib in observance of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The move is being framed not only as a religious affirmation but also as part of a broader push to preserve the state’s civilisational heritage and boost religious tourism.

The Resolution: What Was Decided

During a specially convened session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann introduced a resolution to accord holy city status to three significant Sikh sites.
The Assembly passed the resolution unanimously, signifying cross-party support.
Under this resolution, a complete ban will come into force for the sale and use of meat, liquor, tobacco, and other intoxicants in these designated areas.
These three places host three of the five Takhts of Sikhism:
- Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar,
- Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), and
- Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

According to CM Mann, these cities are not simply religious centres; they are “symbols of our civilisational heritage.”
The declaration is framed as a long-standing aspiration of the Sikh community. Mann noted that for decades, people had pressed for holy-city status.
To shepherd this change, the government will form an interfaith committee comprising representatives from all faiths to oversee religious institutions in these cities.
There is also a stated commitment to invest in these areas for “holistic development, cleanliness, security, and the promotion of religious tourism.”

Political Context & Implementation Challenges

The special Vidhan Sabha session was timed to coincide with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, underlining the symbolic weight of the decision.
Notably, this was the first time the Punjab Assembly convened outside its capital, Chandigarh, held instead at Anandpur Sahib’s Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial Park.
Opposition parties raised practical questions: For instance, whether the entire city of Amritsar is covered or just specific precincts.
The CM responded that shopkeepers affected by the ban (meat, alcohol, tobacco vendors) would be rehabilitated.
The Assembly’s Speaker later clarified that the reference is specifically to the walled city of Amritsar — not the entire city — after initial ambiguity.

Strategic Implications & Broader Impact

Cultural Preservation: By legally formalising their sacred status, these sites are being culturally protected. The ban reinforces a vision where spiritual heritage and daily life converge.
Religious Tourism: With stricter codes and clearer identity, these holy cities may attract more pilgrims. The government explicitly ties the decision to promoting “religious tourism.”
Stakeholder Resistance: While this move may please religious constituencies, the economic cost to small-time vendors could be non-trivial. The proposed rehabilitation scheme will be critical to its political sustainability.
Governance Precedence: Punjab’s decision may inspire other regions with religious significance to consider similar protective declarations; it raises questions about the balance between religious sentiment and economic freedoms.
Social Messaging: This act sends a strong normative message — promoting abstention in sacred precincts — which could have ripple effects on public morality discourse.

Conclusion

The Punjab government’s decision to declare Amritsar’s walled city, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities marks a historic confluence of religion, heritage, and governance. By enacting a blanket ban on intoxicants in these precincts, the state is not only facilitating a spiritual code of conduct but also aiming to preserve cultural identity and boost pilgrimage-driven economic activity. How effectively the policy will be enforced — and how the promised welfare for displaced vendors will unfold — will determine its long-term success.