Amritsar Walled City Accorded ‘Holy Status’: Non-Veg, Liquor, And Tobacco Banned

The Official Ban: What’s Changing?

The Punjab government’s notification imposes strict prohibitions within specific limits to maintain spiritual purity.

• Prohibited Items: Sale and consumption of meat (including eggs), liquor, cigarettes, and all tobacco products.
• Geographic Scope: * Amritsar: The historical Walled City area (zone surrounding the Golden Temple).
  • Sri Anandpur Sahib & Talwandi Sabo: Entire municipal limits.
• Implementation: The departments of Excise, Health, and Animal Husbandry have been directed to enforce the law immediately. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation has already identified approximately 150 shops and kiosks for eviction or relocation.

The Government’s Defense: “Reverence Over Business”

Deepak Bali, Advisor to the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, addressed the growing backlash from traders on Sunday.

• Livelihood Response: When asked about the impact on shopkeepers, Bali stated, “The whole world does not have to live by selling chicken. If they work, they’ll find work somewhere else. They can do it outside.”
• Religious Legacy: He emphasized that the move fulfills a decades-old demand of the “Panth” (the Sikh community) and pays homage to the legacy of Guru Ramdas Sahib, the founder of Amritsar.

The “Holy City” Impact: Anxiety Among Traders

While the move is cheered by many religious organizations, it has caused deep distress among traditional traders:

• Generational Businesses: Many meat and fish vendors in areas like Hathi Gate and Hall Gate are fourth-generation traders whose ancestors arrived from Pakistan in 1948.
• The Fish Trade Crisis: Wholesale traders noted that nearly 60,000 people are linked to the fish trade in Punjab, with the Amritsar market serving as a primary hub.
• Lack of Rehabilitation: Traders and some political leaders have criticized the government for enforcing the ban without providing a structured rehabilitation or compensation policy.

Quick Facts: Punjab’s 3 New Holy Cities