Nihang Sikhs impose symbolic ‘Khalsa tax’ on Himachal vehicles in protest against entry levy

The agitation against the Himachal Pradesh Government’s entry tax on out-of-state vehicles escalated on Wednesday after Nihang Sikhs imposed a symbolic “Khalsa tax” on Himachal-registered vehicles entering Punjab via the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali highway. The tax was collected for one hour, from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, as a protest against Himachal’s entry levy.

Adding to the controversy, a group of Nihang Sikhs set up a checkpoint near the Gara Mora NHAI toll plaza on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali road on Wednesday afternoon. They appealed to commuters in Himachal-registered vehicles entering Punjab to voluntarily pay the “Khalsa tax” as a symbolic protest against the tax imposed by Himachal Pradesh on vehicles registered outside the state.

Speaking to reporters, Nihang Achar Singh, who led the drive, said they took the step because both the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments had failed to address the concerns of people affected by the proposed tax.

“We have been forced to take this step as both the Himachal and Punjab governments have turned a deaf ear to the plight of people suffering due to Himachal’s entry tax. The tax imposed on vehicles from Punjab is illegal and unjustified,” he said.

Achar Singh warned that the Nihang Sikhs had given both governments 10 days to resolve the issue.

“If no solution emerges within this period, Nihang Sikhs will take matters into their own hands and impose the ‘Khalsa tax’ on Himachal-registered vehicles entering Punjab,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sangharsh Committee leaders reiterated their opposition to the proposed levy and vowed to continue their agitation until the Himachal Pradesh Government withdraws it.

Addressing protesters, committee leader Gaurav Rana said the entry tax was adversely affecting traders, transporters, farmers, and ordinary citizens who frequently travel between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

“We have been left with no option but to launch this agitation. Himachal’s entry tax is anti-people and will place an additional financial burden on residents of border areas who depend on interstate movement for their livelihood,” Rana said.  “Thousands of families in both states share close social and economic ties. Imposing an entry tax will create unnecessary hurdles and negatively affect trade, tourism, and daily travel,” he added.

The agitation has steadily gained momentum in recent days. On June 1, Sangharsh Committee members blocked traffic on major roads leading to Himachal Pradesh as part of a coordinated protest. The movement has also received support from the acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who reportedly described Himachal’s entry tax as “jazia”, comparing it to the tax imposed on non-Muslims during the Mughal era.

Protesters maintained that the proposed levy would discourage tourism, increase transportation costs, and negatively impact industries and businesses dependent on cross-border trade.

Police personnel remained deployed at the protest sites to maintain law and order while authorities closely monitored the situation as the blockade and symbolic tax campaign continued. Protest leaders asserted that the movement would persist until the Himachal Pradesh Government withdraws the proposed entry tax.