Decode Politics: Why Bill on letting Centre run Chandigarh directly sparked Punjab backlash
As leaders across party lines slam the proposal, Union Home Ministry clarifies government "has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect" in the Winter Session of Parliament
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has termed the move "draconian". 
The Centre’s proposal to include Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution has triggered protests across party lines in Punjab. The state views the move as “snatching” away its capital — created after Partition when Lahore, its earlier capital, went to Pakistan.
Amid the backlash, the Union Home Ministry on Sunday clarified that a final decision had not been taken and a Bill on this would not be introduced in the Winter Session. “The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana. A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” it said in a statement.
What is the Amendment Bill?
The Centre has proposed the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, which empowers the President to make regulations and legislate directly for certain Union Territories.
If passed, Chandigarh will likely get a separate administrator or Lieutenant Governor, replacing the present arrangement in which the Punjab Governor serves as administrator. The change will align Chandigarh’s administration with other UTs without legislatures, such as Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
What does it mean for Punjab?
The Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952, defines Chandigarh as Punjab’s capital. After Haryana was carved out in 1966, Chandigarh became the joint capital of both states and was declared a UT. Property in the city was divided between Punjab and Haryana in a 60:40 ratio.
The States Reorganisation Act, 1966, did not alter these arrangements, though the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 formalised Chandigarh’s UT status.
Chandigarh has been the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana since the 1966 reorganisation. For nearly six decades, Punjab has asserted its claim over the city. Legally, placing Chandigarh under Article 240 alters its Constitutional status, making it a centrally administered UT rather than a shared capital.
“A technical change, but a deeply political and emotional one,” said AAP spokesperson Neel Garg. He argued that the Punjab Governor’s long-standing role as Chandigarh’s administrator signalled Punjab’s primacy. For Punjab, Chandigarh’s significance is historical, Constitutional, and emotional, he added.
Why has it sparked a backlash?
Leaders cutting across party lines — Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, and Leader of the Opposition Amrinder Singh Raja Warring of the Congress — have condemned the move as a threat to Punjab’s claim. Mann termed it a “draconian move” while Badal called it an “assault on Punjab’s rights” and federalism. Warring warned of serious repercussions if Chandigarh was “snatched” from Punjab.
The BJP finds itself in a dilemma, with its Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar indicating that he was opposed to the move. “Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first,” he said in a post on X on Sunday.
What are the other flashpoints between the Centre and Punjab?
Punjab has viewed recent actions as attempts to weaken its claim over Chandigarh and undermine federalism.
On October 28, invoking the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Centre proposed dissolving the 59-year-old Senate of Panjab University — the apex body with 91 elected and nominated members — and replacing it with a 31-member body dominated by ex-officio and nominated members, including Chandigarh’s MP and the UT chief secretary.
The move was criticised as “saffronisation” and a bid to centralise control over a university jointly funded by the Centre and Punjab, signalling a dilution of Punjab’s stake in Chandigarh.
Massive protests erupted, with student groups, farmer unions, Opposition parties and AAP ministers joining the Panjab University Bachao Morcha. After a series of withdrawals and reversals between November 5 and 7, the Centre finally put the notification on hold, stating it would be implemented later.
Are there more issues with Haryana?
In May, the long-standing dispute between Punjab and Haryana over water sharing flared up again when Haryana sought an additional 2,500 cusecs from the Bhakra dam for drinking water.
The Punjab government refused. The situation escalated when Mann reached the dam site at Nangal and prevented the release of water. Protesters later locked the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairperson inside a rest house.
The Centre responded by deploying central security forces at the dam, a move Punjab strongly opposed, alleging it was an attempt to wrest control of the BBMB, traditionally overseen by the Punjab Police.
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