Amritsar no stranger to curfew, but people still out and about

The Golden Temple was never officially closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Authorities assumed that the curfew would stop people from coming. But this hasn’t happened.

The causeway to the Golden Temple, which normaly remains chock-a-block, is seen nearly empty. (Rana Simranjit Singh)

Though is under curfew, devotees have been managing to go through police checkposts to reach the Golden Temple.

Some devotees, though few in number, can be seen moving around in the parikrama of the Golden Temple throughout the day. Others can be seen sitting inside the sanctum sanctorum and listening to Gurbani Kirtan.

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The Golden Temple was never officially closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Authorities assumed that the curfew would stop people from coming. But this hasn’t happened.

Two days before the lockdown, on March 22, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had asked Sikhs to remain in self quarantine and follow government instructions to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

The SGPC has also made special arrangements for 24 hour live telecast of Gurbani Kirtan from the Golden Temple on its Facebook page.

Health department teams are screening devotees at the two entrances of the Golden Temple. Anyone with high fever is not allowed to enter.

Read| Coronavirus: Caution and curbs at places of worship, prayers to continue

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The SGPC has also made arrangements to ensure that devotes sanitise their hands 4-5 times within the temple premises.

Most of the people coming to the temple are from Amritsar itself, but there are some who are also coming in from outside.

“Even during Operation Blue Star in 1984, devotees were stuck inside the Golden Temple. If they didn’t stop coming during those troubled times, how can you expect them to stop now? We can understand how difficult it is for devotees to wait for the curfew to get over. But people like me who are living near the Golden Temple are lucky because we can visit it,” said Iqbal Singh.

The temple manager, Jaswinder Singh, said, “There was a negligible rise in the number of devotees on Saturday and Sunday. But on Monday, when the curfew was ordered to be extended till April 14, the numbers were very low. We have also reduced SGPC staff inside the premises and have asked volunteers to reduce their numbers. There are some volunteer teams which serve round the clock at the temple on normal days. We have been taking all precautions suggested by the health department but we cannot ask devotees not to come. Curfew is already in place and technically devotees cannot come.”

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Mandeep Singh, who had come to the Golden Temple from Majitha Road, said, “Where there is a will, there is a way. I wanted to visit the Golden Temple because on normal days there is a lot of rush. I take this curfew as an opportunity to visit Darbar Sahib when there will be very few devotees there. I came from Majitha Road on my bike and there was hardly any restriction. I avoided some checkposts by taking alternative routes to the Golden Temple. I was asked to wash my hands repeatedly inside the premises of the temple.”

Volunteers distributing langar in different parts of city have been also visiting the community kitchen of the temple to supply langar to the needy.

Most of these volunteers don’t have curfew pass, but the police allows them to help the poor community.

Amritsar is no stranger to curfew. The city has remained under curfew before, during Operation Blue Star in 1984 and its aftermath. Peace return to the walled city only in the late 90s.

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However, its residents can be seen moving around during curfew, especially in the evening. They can be sitting in groups outside their homes, while bikes and cars were seen moving in the narrow lanes of the walled city.

“I have been witness to the times when you never knew when a curfew was going to be imposed. That curfew was different different from the current. In those days, curfew was like a war. You could had been killed for getting out of home. There was always uncertainty in the air,” said 62-year-old Surinder Sharma.

He added, “The purpose of this curfew is totally different. This curfew is to protect us and residents should remain inside their homes. People should respect the restrictions.”

Here’s a quick Coronavirus guide from Express Explained to keep you updated: What can cause a COVID-19 patient to relapse after recovery? | COVID-19 lockdown has cleaned up the air, but this may not be good news. Here’s why | Can alternative medicine work against the coronavirus? | A five-minute test for COVID-19 has been readied, India may get it too | How India is building up defence during lockdown | Why only a fraction of those with coronavirus suffer acutely | How do healthcare workers protect themselves from getting infected? | What does it take to set up isolation wards?

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More