Punjab: Reaching a deal with traders to secure holy city status is a major challenge

Punjab: The Punjab government faces a difficult task in restoring the holy city status to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo, as traders operating banned businesses have approached the administration for relief. They have also threatened to seek legal recourse if they are not granted relief. They have demanded an immediate meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The Punjab government passed a resolution during a special session of the Assembly to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, declaring Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo “holy cities.” This meant a ban on the sale of alcohol, meat, tobacco, and other intoxicants.

‘Businesses will come to a standstill’
Amritsar: A group of affected traders met with Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh on Tuesday and expressed their concerns. They urged the district administration to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann so they could directly express their concerns. The distressed traders fear that this ban will bring their businesses to a standstill. Jasbir Singh, who has been running a non-vegetarian shop at Chowk Chabutra since 1965, said, “We have been serving non-vegetarian food for generations. This is our third generation. We are not interfering with the religious sanctity of devotees in any way. We should not be removed.” Sharanjit Singh, who runs a meat shop in Katra Karam Singh, said that the Deputy Commissioner had asked for 10 days to arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister. He alleged that since last week, Municipal Corporation officials, in connivance with other departments, have been pressuring traders to close their shops.

‘Crores Invested’
Talwandi Sabo: Traders here have submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, urging the administration to demarcate the prohibited area and give them sufficient time to settle. The traders have approached MLA Baljinder Kaur for help. Additionally, uncertainty looms over many businesses. Traders fear this move could lead to shop closures and cancellations of wedding bookings, as well as increased financial pressure. Banquet hall and restaurant owners have suffered the most from this decision. Gora, owner of Haveli Dhaba, said he had invested heavily over the years to establish his business. He said, “We are about 4 km from Takht Damdama Sahib. Previously, restrictions were limited to a radius of about 2 km from Takht Sahib. Now, suddenly, the entire municipal area is being included. If this continues, we may be forced to close our businesses.” Kulwant Singh, owner of Sabo’s Haveli Banquet Hall, said that most businessmen started their ventures with large bank loans. He said, “I have invested about 4 crore rupees. We are already 2.5 to 3 km from Takht Damdama Sahib. Previously, Talwandi Sabo was considered a holy city, but the boundary was smaller, and investments were made accordingly.” ‘Go beyond the announcement’
Anandpur Sahib: People feel the government should go beyond simply naming it a holy city and provide essential infrastructure and educational projects. Local resident Baljit Singh said, “We haven’t been given anything substantial on the ground except for a proposal to establish a university in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The university hasn’t even been formally notified.” People are also hoping for more funding in the next budget. Even before the notification, there were no liquor or tobacco shops operating in the city. There were only a few small meat shops, and those vendors are already moving out of the municipal limits in Anandpur Sahib.