NGO warns of stir if Amritsar ‘holy city’ norms not enforced

Amritsar: Amid uncertainty over alternative sites to meat, tobacco and liquor shopkeepers operating within the walled city, an NGO has warned of a protest if the administration fails to implement the ‘holy city' guidelines and shuts down all tobacco, liquor and meat shops by March 31.Ranjit Singh Bhoma, president, Samaj Sudhar Sanstha, Punjab, said on Monday that the NGO would lay a ‘pucca morcha' (permanent morcha) at Chowk Maha Singh till the govt notification declaring the walled city of Amritsar as a holy city is implemented. "Thousands of people, including tourists, enter the walled city every day, and it hurts their sentiments when they see liquor, meat and tobacco shops still operating with impunity," he said. On Dec 15, 2025, the department of home affairs, Punjab, issued the notice to declare the walled city of Amritsar as a holy city and imposed a ban on the sale and use of meat, liquor and tobacco inside the walled city. The decision drew a mixed response. While many people and organisations—particularly religious bodies—welcomed it as a potentially historic move, others slammed it as an unnecessary restriction on their lifestyle. Several also expressed doubts about its effective implementation and warned that it could open new avenues for corruption. Manmohan Singh, who runs a restaurant serving chicken dishes in the walled city, said they were not provided any alternative site by the municipal corporation. He said they are pinning their hopes on CM Bhagwant Mann, as cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal recently assured them that he would facilitate a meeting with the CM. MSID:: 128945134 413 |