Why Punjab declared Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, and Anandpur Sahib as holy cities

Holy city status has been granted to Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib, places much revered among Sikhs, following a Punjab government notification.

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the decision to grant holy city status to Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib has come into effect. The decision, which was unanimously passed, was taken during a special session of the Punjab Assembly commemorating the 350th anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom.

The sale and consumption of meat, liquor, tobacco and other intoxicants will be prohibited in the notified limits of these cities. The demand of devotees for holy city status dates back several decades. It was advocated by several religious and political groups, notably the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Earlier administrations limited themselves to token measures or selective curbs, but this Assembly’s unanimous resolution decisively enshrined the status for all three cities in law. The cities were chosen because three out of the five takhts (the seats of temporal authority in Sikhism) were located in the respective cities. The three cities, being Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar (Ropar district), Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the 'Galiara' area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar (Walled City of Amritsar), have immense socio-cultural and historical significance.

Sri Anandpur Sahib, the City of Bliss, was founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1655. A place meant for Sikhs to gather and meditate, the city was known as Chakk Nanaki. It is home to the Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, the site where the Khalsa Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh through the Khande di Pahul and the initiation of the Panj Pyare in 1699. Spirituality and history intersect in this city. Incessant threats from the Mughals led to the fortification of the city where Guru Gobind Singh constructed five strategic forts, namely Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Holgarh, Keshgarh and Fatehgarh. Today, it is all set to be developed as a heritage city.

Takwandi Sabo houses the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. First established by the Thathar tribe in the eleventh century, it was later under Rai Sabo Brar that the settlement developed. Guru Gobind Singh sought refuge in this city after battles at Anandpur Sahib, earning it the name Damdama Sahib, meaning ‘Abode of Respite’.

Guru Gobind Singh undertook the mammoth task of compiling the Adi Granth into its final form (Guru Granth Sahib) during his stay. This caused the city to be known as ‘Guru ki Kashi’. The annual Baisakhi celebrations are very famous here.

Home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and memories of the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, meaning ‘Pool of Nectar’, was founded by Guru Ram Das. Originally known as Ramdaspur, Sri Akal Takht Sahib was established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind. It signifies the inseparable union of miri (temporal authority) and piri (spiritual authority).

The city played an important role in our nation’s history, as it served as a transit point for refugees amid widespread violence and partition riots.

The two other Takhts, located outside of Punjab are Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib in Maharashtra.

The home affairs department, along with the departments of excise, health, animal husbandry, local government, and deputy commissioners of Amritsar, Rupnagar and Bathinda, are tasked with enforcement and implementation.

As stated by CM Mann, “These cities are not only religious centres but also symbols of Punjab’s cultural heritage,” and further extended congratulations to the Sikh Sangat.

However, what hangs in the balance is a debate between religious sanctity and individual freedoms. Criticism emerged stating legislative lapses wherein the label of ‘holy city’ is not clearly outlined in law, policy or administration, even terming the decision an attempt to “Brahminise Sikhs”. Amritsar has seen multiple PILs demanding better sanitation facilities, arguing that symbolic designations must be accompanied by concrete improvements in civic infrastructure and public services.

Amidst the public debate, CM Mann has described the move as a “historic decision” inspired by faith, gratitude and responsibility. The decision also opens doors for development as the government plans to provide facilities such as e-rickshaws, mini-buses and shuttle services to ensure that devotees from across the globe face no inconvenience.

The government has also called for the formation of an interfaith committee comprising representatives from all religious institutions to address any related issues.