Rupnagar, June 4
A group of Nihang Sikhs on Wednesday imposed a symbolic “Khalsa tax” on Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicles entering Punjab near the Kiratpur Sahib Manali highway in protest against the entry tax levied on out-of-state vehicles in Himachal Pradesh.
Led by Nihang leader Achhar Singh, the group set up a temporary checkpoint near an NHAI toll plaza on the Kiratpur Sahib Manali highway and collected voluntary contributions from commuters for more than an hour.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to what he described as the financial burden faced by travelers and transporters entering Himachal Pradesh. He alleged that the entry tax system imposed on non-Himachal vehicles was unfair and questioned the use of the collected funds.
The Nihang leader compared the levy to the historical “Jaziya tax” and claimed that private individuals were benefiting from its collection. He maintained that the protest remained symbolic and said commuters were not forced to pay any amount.
Singh further stated that the money collected during the protest would be used for the welfare of poor people. He also warned that the group could continue collecting the symbolic “Khalsa tax” permanently if the Himachal Pradesh government does not withdraw the entry tax imposed on outside vehicles.
Police officials were informed about the protest, and security remained in place during the demonstration.
The protest has once again drawn attention to ongoing concerns about interstate vehicle taxes and their impact on transporters and daily commuters traveling between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
