Akal Takht acting jathedar backs protest against Himachal entry tax; calls it ‘jizya’, seeks repeal

Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Singh Sahib Kuldeep Singh Gargaj today extended support to Sangharsh Committee agitating against Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax. After meeting committee members, the jathedar strongly condemned the tax on devotees, terming it akin to “jizya” and demanding its immediate repeal. Calling the levy an unjust burden on people visiting religious shrines in Punjab, he said the issue was not merely economic but deeply connected to religious sentiments.

Addressing protest leaders at Kiratpur Sahib, Jathedar Gargaj said devotees travel long distances with devotion to pay obeisance at their gurdwaras, and imposing such taxes on them was highly condemnable. Drawing a historical parallel, he stated that the jizya tax under Mughal rule was also seen as discriminatory on religious grounds, and the present situation evokes similar concerns among the public.

He urged governments at all levels to intervene without delay and abolish the entry tax to provide relief to devotees. Extending his support to the ongoing agitation, he described the movement as legitimate and called for stronger public backing to ensure its success.

Meanwhile, the agitation against the Himachal entry tax is set to escalate, with farmer organisations and protest groups announcing a renewed protest from May 2. The Sangharsh Committee, led by Kirti Kisan Morcha and supported by various unions, has declared that the Himachal entry tax barrier on the Kiratpur Sahib–Manali national highway would be made toll-free for vehicles heading towards Himachal Pradesh from May 2.

The announcement followed a meeting of the committee at Munne village near Nurpur Bedi, where leaders said the protest had entered a decisive phase. Reiterating their demand to scrap what they termed an “unjust and illegal” tax on Punjab vehicles, they also objected to multiple toll collections along a single national highway, calling it an unacceptable double burden on commuters.

In a significant decision, protest leaders stated that no political leader from the ruling or Opposition parties would be allowed to address gatherings, though participation would be permitted.

Farmer leaders also criticised the Punjab government for its inaction, accusing it of failing to protect residents’ interests. They argued that the absence of a reciprocal entry tax on Himachal-bound vehicles had emboldened the neighbouring state to continue with what they described as a unilateral policy.

Kirti Kisan Morcha state president Veer Singh Badwa and Punjab Morcha convener Gaurav Rana said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had failed to resolve the issue with the Himachal Government despite repeated representations. They warned that both the Himachal and Punjab Governments would be held accountable if the matter remained unresolved.

The protesters said a broader strategy would be unveiled on the evening of May 2, potentially covering all 33 entry points between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Farmer unions have called for large-scale public participation, urging people to join with tractor-trolleys in preparation for a prolonged struggle.

Leaders, including Veer Singh Badwa, Gaurav Rana, Kashmir Singh Nangli, Dharampal Saini Majra, and others addressed the gathering, stressing unity and sustained pressure to achieve their demands.

With tensions rising and mobilisation underway, May 2 is expected to mark a significant escalation in the ongoing agitation against the Himachal entry tax.