At Special Session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, House unites against Centre over Chandigarh, river waters

Paying tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur, Mann said the Guru made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious rights of humanity and set an example for the world.
“Punjab knows how to safeguard its rights. Those who think Punjab will leave its rights or shut its eyes are grossly mistaken. Be it PU, Chandigarh, or river waters… Punjab does not leave its rights. If anybody tries to arm-twist, Punjab bounces back,” Mann said.

The ruling AAP, along with Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, has accused the BJP-led Centre of trying to “snatch” Chandigarh from Punjab as they opposed a recent proposal to bring the Union Territory under Article 240 of the Constitution, empowering the President to legislate it directly. The Centre, however, issued a clarification Sunday stating it has no intention of presenting any Bill on Chandigarh’s administration in the Winter Session of Parliament and assured that the proposal would not alter the UT’s governance structure.

Earlier too, the Centre had come under fire for its move to restructure the governing bodies — Senate and Syndicate — of Panjab University, a decision it later withdrew.

In the House, Leader of Opposition Bajwa also raised the issues of Chandigarh, PU, pending rural development funds, and water sharing. He said all Punjabis should unite for the state’s rights.

“Every three months, waters are being tested. Attempts are being made to rewrite history. We need to be alert. Punjabis must be united. We may have political differences, but for the land of Punjab and Punjabiyat, we must come together for our rights,” Bajwa said.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema also accused the Centre of “excesses”.

“Whoever has ever looked at us, we have given a strong answer. Ask the Congress — their seven generations would remember what we have done. The Centre should not test the patience of Punjabis,” he said, asserting that the three crore people of Punjab, following the teachings of the Gurus, remain committed to safeguarding national unity and integrity while fighting resolutely for state rights.

Akali Dal’s Ayali said Punjabis have made maximum sacrifices for the country’s freedom.
“But even today, Punjab’s issues remain unresolved. Our rights are being snatched. Punjab has a right over Chandigarh, which was established over Punjab’s villages. Attempts are being made to snatch it from Punjab,” he said.
“Chandigarh should be given to Punjab, and all issues concerning Punjab must be resolved,” he added. He also demanded the release of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act.

BSP MLA Nachhattar Pal stressed the need for united efforts on issues concerning Chandigarh, Panjab University, ‘Bandi Singhs’, and other matters.

Bharatiya Janata Party member Ashwini Sharma, speaking earlier, criticised Bajwa, stating that the session was meant to remember Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice, yet some members were “indulging in politics”.

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