CALLS FOR AMRITSAR TO BE DECLARED A HOLY CITY AND URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON PUNJAB’S DRUG CRISIS
Face2News/Chandigarh
In a powerful and heartfelt demonstration reflecting the spiritual and social pulse of Punjab, Dr. Jagmohan Singh Raju, State General Secretary of BJP Punjab, led a major protest outside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday. The protest brought together a wide spectrum of citizens, religious leaders, students and social organizations – united by two key demands: a drug-free Punjab, and the long-overdue recognition of Amritsar as a ‘Holy City' like Haridwar, Ayodhya and Dwarka.
Dr. Raju has approached both the public and judiciary with unwavering dedication. The protest was triggered by a recent affidavit submitted by the Bhagwant Mann-led government before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, rejecting these demands outright.
Ahead of the protest, Dr. Raju penned a detailed letter to the Honourable Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, expressing deep concern over the conduct of the special session held on July 10–11. He criticized it as a “Theatre of the Absurd”, alleging that the gravity of Punjab’s pressing issues including the rampant drug menace and be-adbi (sacrilege) was trivialized by the ruling leadership. “Instead of dialogue and dignity, the Assembly witnessed mimicry, mockery and street-style theatrics,” he wrote.
Dr. Raju further condemned the Govt's refusal to ban liquor and meat sales around sacred religious sites, particularly in Amritsar, the home to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Mandir and Ram Tirath Temple.The protest also included the submission of a memorandum demanding the permanent closure of all liquor and tobacco shops within a 200-meter radius of historical gurdwaras and temples across the city. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has formally extended its full support to Dr. Raju’s movement.
Drawing on the constitutional mandate under Article 47, Dr. Raju reminded the Govt of its duty to prohibit intoxicants, barring medicinal use. He slammed the administration for its failure to tackle the growing drug epidemic, which has devastated countless families, particularly in Punjab’s rural heartland. He also accused CM Mann of adopting an anti-Sikh posture, citing repeated disregard for Sikh religious sensitivities.
Dr. Raju further condemned the Govt's refusal to ban liquor and meat sales around sacred religious sites, particularly in Amritsar, the home to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Mandir and Ram Tirath Temple.
The protest also included the submission of a memorandum demanding the permanent closure of all liquor and tobacco shops within a 200-meter radius of historical gurdwaras and temples across the city. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has formally extended its full support to Dr. Raju’s movement.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Raju asked a simple yet powerful question: If Haridwar, Ayodhya, and Dwarka can be officially declared Holy Cities, then why not Amritsar — the spiritual soul of Punjab?”
He warned that if the Govt continues to ignore these legitimate concerns, a larger movement will follow. Plans are already underway to launch religious yatras, grassroots awareness campaigns and approach national leadership for policy intervention.