How To Rid Punjab Of Tobacco?

[Jatha Nihang Singha]

Nihangs ‘torch’ tobacco products

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 18

An organisation of Nihang Sikhs, reportedly, torched cigarette and tobacco products after taking them out from shops selling the products near Phuwara Chowk.It has been learnt that the organisation had warned the shopkeepers from selling tobacco products here or shift to some other place.

According to information received here, the incident occurred at about 10 am.

As per eyewitnesses, a group of about 10 Nihang Sikhs today barged into shops and accumulated the tobacco products in sacks. Later they torched the products.

The group escaped from the spot before the police could reach the spot. It is evident to mention that the police post is situated just a few yards from the place of the incident.

“They appeared all of a sudden in the morning and started throwing out our stock out of the shops. Later, they put them in sacks before burning down the whole lot. They have warned us against carrying out the business again. We demand police protection,” said the shopkeepers.

[whyhellothere]

What these singhs have done is wrong, they have acted like thugs. People consumed intoxicants during our gurus times but our gurus preached and those who chose to listen did, the key word being chose. If however the shopkepers were doing beadbi of some kind then I take this back.

We have free will, if we didn't we'd all be perfect, we don't force people to conform to our beliefs like muslims do.

[Jatha Nihang Singha]

Sikhs have long campaigned for Sri Amritsar to be alcohol and tobacco free, yet there are shops selling such products just a stones throw away from Sri Darbar Sahib itself. Hence why the shop keepers were told to either stop selling tobacco or to relocate. What must tourists think when diriving to Harimandir Sahib, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, when in the sorrounded area they are sorrounded by many alcohol shops and small stalls selling tobacco? Its not about forcing people to conform to your beliefs, its a matter of principle to work for the satkar of Guru Sahib and our holy shrines.

[Singh559]

They should do this with bhang as well. The sarkaar should ban all drugs and alochol and enforce it humanely. The problem is people are addicted and need help to quit.

[Kamaljit_Kaur]

VaheGuru! The Nihang Fauj warned them first and told them to stop or shift to some place else and told them the reasons why not to sell there ... Shopkeepers didn't listen so justified action was taken... The Fauj standing up and showing their devout respect for our Holy Shrines and Guru Sahib Jee's Hukam ... That's Kirpa!

The Fauj also took action against so-called committee members doing mega beadbee at a Gurdwara in Ropar earlier this year too ... Recognise, rate and be inspired by their Spirit!

[Singh559]

LOL "We demand police protection"

[Paneer Monster]

Nice post by kamaljit kaur.

@whyhellothere

dhan sri guru ramdas founded sri amritsar sahib which otherwise would have been forest and swamps. we have been campaining for 60 odd eyars to remove tobacco from sri amritsar sahib whereas around many hindu shrines tobacco and alcohol is banned. not to mention cow slaughtering is banned across india. no one is forcing anyone to accept sikhi... we are insisting respect for our beloved holy city which was practically tobacco free before these bhaya's came along...

[whyhellothere]

Nice post by kamaljit kaur.

@whyhellothere

dhan sri guru ramdas founded sri amritsar sahib which otherwise would have been forest and swamps. we have been campaining for 60 odd eyars to remove tobacco from sri amritsar sahib whereas around many hindu shrines tobacco and alcohol is banned. not to mention cow slaughtering is banned across india. no one is forcing anyone to accept sikhi... we are insisting respect for our beloved holy city which was practically tobacco free before these bhaya's came along...

Okay I get it, tobacco in amritsar is Beadbi itself. This task is gonna be a huge one though, after decades of having tobacco in amritsar, it could get very nasty.

[S1ngh]

As far as i know by law, no shop can sell/distribute liquor or tobacco inside area of amritsar's walled city (area lies from Darbar Sahib to all old gates/entry points - "hathi gate, lohari gate, hall gate etc"). I am sure that there are no liquor shop inside the walled city but not sure about the street hawkers selling tobbaco product.