Chandigarh: The collection of a symbolic “Khalsa Tax” by a group of Nihang Sikhs from vehicles bearing Himachal Pradesh registration numbers has triggered a political controversy in Punjab, with opposition parties accusing the state government of failing to resolve the long-running dispute over Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax.
The issue came to the forefront on Wednesday when a group of Nihangs briefly stopped vehicles on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali National Highway and collected what they described as voluntary contributions from motorists travelling to or from Himachal Pradesh.
The development quickly gained attention on social media and drew reactions from leaders across the political spectrum. While opposition parties criticized both state governments for allowing tensions to escalate, leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party largely refrained from directly targeting either side.
Former Punjab Youth Congress president Barinder Dhillon said the incident reflected growing public frustration over the entry tax imposed by Himachal Pradesh. He argued that the issue had remained unresolved for months despite repeated objections from affected travellers and transport operators.
Dhillon alleged that the failure to find a solution had encouraged some groups to take symbolic steps of their own, adding that the matter should have been resolved through inter-state dialogue.
Punjab BJP vice-president Subhash Sharma also opposed the entry tax, describing it as unfair and unjustified. He said BJP leaders in Himachal Pradesh had previously indicated that the levy would be reviewed if the party returned to power in the hill state.
Sharma further accused both the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments of allowing the dispute to deepen, leading to unnecessary friction between residents of the two neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains adopted a conciliatory stance, expressing hope that the issue would be resolved through discussions between the concerned authorities.
The controversy has once again highlighted the ongoing disagreement over Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax policy, which has been opposed by several groups in Punjab who argue that it places an additional burden on travellers and transporters.
