A group of Nihang Sikhs has initiated a symbolic collection of a 'Khalsa tax' from vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh at a Punjab border point, a move framed as a protest against Himachal Pradesh's recently imposed entry tax on vehicles from outside the state. This action, described by participants as a "symbolic protest" and a tit-for-tat measure, began on Wednesday, June 4, 2026, near the Gara Mora area on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali highway.
The protesters, identifying with the Shiromani Jarnail Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh Nihang Singh Khalsa Dal, stated that the collected funds would be used for welfare of the poor and social causes. They emphasized that the payment was voluntary, with no force used, and that individuals unwilling to pay were allowed to proceed. The amount collected ranged from Rs 10 to Rs 500, though "voluntary" contributions were reportedly accepted.
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Himachal Government's Reaction and Accusations
Himachal Pradesh's Revenue Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, condemned the 'Khalsa tax' as "wrong, illegal, and irrational." He suggested a potential conspiracy behind the action and stated that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had engaged in discussions with the Punjab government regarding the matter. Negi also pointed fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of orchestrating the situation to create a negative atmosphere against the Congress government.
Background: The Entry Tax Controversy
The Nihang Sikhs' protest is a direct response to the entry tax levied by the Himachal Pradesh government on vehicles entering the state. This tax, reportedly aimed at generating revenue, has been met with widespread opposition from various groups, including traders, transporters, and farmers, particularly those residing in border areas who rely on inter-state movement for their livelihood. Protests, sit-ins, and road blockades have been occurring for weeks leading up to this latest development.
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Leaders of the protest movement have indicated their intent to continue their campaign until the Himachal Pradesh government completely withdraws the proposed entry tax. Some groups had previously issued ultimatums to the Punjab government, demanding the establishment of a reciprocal entry tax on Himachal vehicles entering Punjab, before taking matters into their own hands.
The Punjab government has officially stated that it has not proposed any entry tax on vehicles entering Punjab. The current situation has created a sense of unease and tension in the border region.
