Punjab CM on Yogi path, ban on meat and liquor shops in three religious cities

Punjab Alcohol Ban Cities Name: Taking a big and historic decision, the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab has given the status of ‘holy city’ to three major religious cities of the state, Amritsar (Wall City), Talwandi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib. After the official notification issued by the government, now the sale of meat, liquor, tobacco and other intoxicants has been completely banned within the limits of these cities. This step of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is reminiscent of the decisions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, where he had imposed similar stringent restrictions on pilgrimage sites like Mathura and Ayodhya.

Decision to maintain the sanctity of religious places
The purpose of this decision of the Punjab Government is to maintain the sanctity and spiritual dignity of these religious places. The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), Anandpur Sahib (birthplace of Khalsa Panth) and Talwandi Sabo (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib) located in Amritsar are the centers of faith of millions of Sikhs. For a long time, Sikh organizations were demanding removal of liquor and meat shops in these areas. Now after the official order, trade of any kind of narcotics or meat will be legally prohibited in these areas.

Aam Aadmi Party’s message is clear
Police and local administration have been instructed to strictly enforce these rules. While this step of the government has been appreciated by religious organizations, it is also being seen as a major cultural change in the politics of Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party government has tried to send a message through this decision that it is serious about preserving the religious sentiments and heritage of the state.

Yogi model of religious dignity and politics
This decision of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seems more symbolic and strategic than administrative. Both come from different ideologies but in the matter of religious tourism and security of centers of faith, both seem to be on the same track. It would not be wrong to call this an extension of the Yogi model. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had drawn a line of ‘cultural nationalism’ by banning the sale of meat and liquor within 10 km of Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Now following the same path, the Mann government has secured the three highest religious centers of Sikhs in Punjab. This decision provides a moral strength to the anti-drug campaign in Punjab. Punjab has been struggling with the drug problem for a long time, so eviction of alcohol and tobacco from religious towns can bring a positive psychological change. This step shows that ‘religion’ and ‘regional pride’ can no longer be separated in modern politics.