Chandigarh, Oct 3: In a historic move, Punjab will hold its first Vidhan Sabha session outside the state capital when lawmakers convene at Anandpur Sahib on November 24. The special session forms part of a series of events planned by the Aam Aadmi Party government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, officials said on Thursday.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains and Deepak Bali, Advisor in the state Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, announced the plans after meeting with religious leaders to coordinate the celebrations.
“We are in talks with the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat to hold the Assembly session in Anandpur Sahib on November 24,” Bains said following the meeting.
The festivities will begin on November 18 with five nagar kirtans starting from different parts of the state. “CM Bhagwant Mann will lead the kirtan from Gurdwara Chathi Patshahi at Srinagar. Two nagar kirtans will also start from Majha and Doaba, while others will begin from Bathinda and Faridkot in Malwa. All will converge at Anandpur Sahib by the evening of November 22,” Bains noted.
From November 23 to 25, Anandpur Sahib will host daytime seminars alongside evening kirtans. In addition, the state government will launch blood donation camps, tree plantation drives, and organ donation initiatives to mark the occasion.
Bains added, “A heritage street will be developed there, with the foundation stone laid by the CM on Sunday. A large tent city will also be set up from November 19 to 30 to accommodate devotees.”
Officials said the special Assembly session and associated events aim to honor the spiritual legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur while promoting cultural and social initiatives across the region.
