New statues of Sikh warriors to be installed on Heritage Street in Amritsar

Heritage Street, the walkway leading to the sanctum of Darbar Sahib, is set for another redesign. Statues of two prominent Sikh warriors, Banda Singh Bahadur and Hari Singh Nalwa would be installed on the iconic Heritage Street.

After earlier controversy over bhangra-themed statues, these were removed from the street and shifted to the district administration complex. The structures were removed following objections from devotees and several Sikh organisations, who argued that the sacred route should reflect Sikh history and the legacy of the martyrs.

The administration reworked the beautification plan in line with these concerns. The revised proposal includes installing statues of prominent Sikh warriors. Statues of Banda Singh Bahadur and Hari Singh Nalwa are ready and preparations for their installation are in the final stages.

Officials said the new statues would underscore the historical and cultural significance of the route, which was taken by thousands of devotees heading to the Golden Temple every day. The decision aims to honour the Sikh community’s martial heritage and commemorate sacrifices associated with it.

“The move has drawn a positive response from devotees, with many describing it as a step that reinforces the spiritual and historical character of the pathway. The redesigned installations are expected to enhance the dignity of the heritage zone, while offering visitors a deeper connection to the Sikh history”, said Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia.