The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has made a historic decision to give the status of holy city to the inner part of Amritsar city (Walled City), Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib, where Takht Sahibs are located.
While announcing this to reporters here today, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal said that for decades, devotees had been demanding to give these cities the status of holy cities. They said that Sikhs have five Takht Sahibs, of which three Takhts – Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib) are located in Punjab. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this special session of the Punjab Assembly is being held on the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib during the ceremonies dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the AAP National Convener said that the great Sikh Gurus always maintained the ideal of welfare for all. They said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made a great sacrifice for the protection of human rights. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Guru Sahib had himself established the city of Sri Anandpur Sahib with his own hands. It is said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had bought land to establish the city and Guru Sahib’s only son Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji lived on this holy land for about thirty years.
The Chief Minister and AAP National Convener said that on this holy land, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth to stand firmly against cruelty, oppression and injustice and to protect the community. They said that three out of four Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were born here, whose sacrifices are unique in world history. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann said that keeping in mind the long-standing demand of the people and to make this session of the Punjab Assembly permanently memorable in history, the state government has declared these cities as holy cities of Punjab.
The Chief Minister and AAP National Convener said that fulfilling the long-standing demand of devotees, a complete ban has been imposed on the sale and use of meat, alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicating substances in these cities. They said that these cities are not only centers of religious faith but also symbols of our cultural heritage. Therefore, this demand is not limited to any one political party, community or religion, but is a necessary step towards protecting our cultural heritage and its global spread. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will ensure the overall development of these cities along with promoting religious tourism.
Earlier, the Chief Minister presented a resolution in this regard in the Punjab Assembly, which was passed unanimously by the Assembly. He said that along with this, a Sarv-Dharm Committee (All-Religion Committee) related to all religious institutions will be formed in these holy cities, which will include representatives of all religions. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government will make dedicated efforts for the overall development, cleanliness, security arrangements and promotion of religious tourism in these holy cities. He said that for this, necessary budget provisions will be made by the state government and funds will also be demanded from the central government because it is extremely necessary to preserve the heritage of these cities for future generations.
During this time, the Chief Minister said that as a humble tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the state government has organized sequential ceremonies throughout the state to celebrate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru on a large scale. He said that today’s session was dedicated only to these ceremonies. He said that the great sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is supreme and unique, because Guru Sahib was martyred for protecting the religion of others. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib set an example for the world by sacrificing himself for the protection of humanity and religious values.
The Chief Minister inspired people to walk on the path shown by Guru Sahib for the welfare of humanity and religion. He said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred in Delhi for the protection of human rights and religious freedom, an example of which is not found anywhere in world history. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ninth Guru was a true symbol of secularism, unity and mutual brotherhood. He said that Guru Sahib’s life and philosophy is a guiding light for entire humanity.
The Chief Minister said that these ceremonies will continue in the coming times and the martyrdom day of Guru Sahib will be celebrated every year. He said that its only purpose is to keep alive the glorious heritage of the great Guru Sahib Ji for our future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has made extensive arrangements for the convenience of devotees visiting holy places.
