CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal announced holy city status for the three Sikh Takht towns, preserving heritage and boosting religious tourism.

The Punjab administration, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has made a major decision to grant holy city status to towns that possess all of the Takhts, including Sri Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and Amritsar Walled City.

Announcing this here today while engaging with the media persons, the Chief Minister and National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal said that since decades people have been seeking holy city status for these places. They claimed that there are five Sikh takahs, including three: Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda), and Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar). Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked that during the events devoted to the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, this special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly is being held on the sacred grounds of Sri Anandpur Sahib.

The esteemed Sikh Gurus have always promoted the principle of Sarbat da Bhala, or the wellbeing of everybody, according to the Chief Minister and AAP National Convener. They claimed that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom was an ultimate sacrifice for the protection of human rights. According to Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the only son of Guru Sahib, lived on this holy ground for about thirty years. Guru Sahib had personally bought the property to construct the city of Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Also read : Harjot Singh Bains Highlights Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Legacy at Special Vidhan Sabha Session

According to the Chief Minister and AAP National Convener, Guru Gobind Singh ji founded the Khalsa Panth on this hallowed ground in order to defend the country and fight against oppression, injustice, and tyranny. They said that three of the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, whose sacrifices are unmatched in global history, were also born here. According to Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state administration has designated these locations as holy cities of Punjab in order to honor the people’s long-standing desire and to make this session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly forever remembered in history.

To satisfy the long-standing desire of the devotees, the Chief Minister and National Convener of the AAP announced that the sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants would be outlawed in these cities. The demand, they said, is not limited to any one political party, community, or religion but rather is a necessary step toward the preservation and international promotion of our cultural heritage. These cities are not only religious centers, but also symbols of our civilizational heritage. In addition to boosting religious tourism in these places, the state government would guarantee their overall development, according to Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister had earlier introduced this motion in the Punjab assembly, which the Vidhan Sabha overwhelmingly approved. He added that an interfaith committee made up of representatives from all religions would be established in relation to all religious establishments in these sacred towns. According to Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government would work hard to improve these sacred cities’ cleanliness, security, and religious tourism. He stated that in order to preserve these towns’ legacy for future generations, the state government will both seek funding from the federal government and appropriate the required budget.

The Chief Minister, meantime, announced that the state government has planned a number of events throughout the state to honor their 350th martyrdom day in a modest homage to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur sahib ji. He added that the sacrifice made by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji was highest and unusual because it was intended to defend other people’s religions, and that today’s session was merely one aspect of these events. According to Bhagwant Singh Mann, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib set an example for the world by making the ultimate sacrifice to defend humankind’s religious rights.

The Chief Minister urged the populace to adhere to Guru Sahib’s teachings on the path of righteousness in the genuine human tradition. He claimed that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made the greatest sacrifice in history by giving his life in Delhi to defend religious freedom and human rights. “The life and philosophy of Guru Sahib continue to serve as a beacon of light for all humanity,” Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, describing the Ninth Sikh Guru as a true symbol of secularism, unity, and international brotherhood.

ALSO READ: Punjab Police Continue 267-Day “Yudh Nashian Virudh” Campaign, 66 Drug Smugglers Arrested

The Chief Minister added that events will be planned annually to commemorate Martyrdom Day and that these events will continue in the future and be hosted throughout the state. According to him, the only goal is to preserve the great Guru Sahib’s illustrious legacy for our future generations. According to Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government has put in place complex plans to make it easier for devotees to travel to the sacred city to show respect.