Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched what he calls a new battle for the state’s dignity not just against political rivals, but on deeply symbolic and constitutional grounds. His focus has sharpened around three flashpoint issues: Chandigarh, state water rights, and building new irrigation canals. Together, they form a broader narrative of Punjab reclaiming its voice and identity.
The Chandigarh Claim: A Symbol of Punjab’s Legacy
At the heart of Mann’s campaign is the demand that Chandigarh, the joint capital with Haryana, be fully transferred to Punjab. He has called the recent central government proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 a “grave injustice,” arguing that the city “was, is, and will always be” part of Punjab.
For Mann, this is more than a territorial demand: it is about restoring Punjab’s dignity. He sees the proposal as an assault on Punjab’s historical and constitutional rights, and he has pledged that his government will not relinquish its claim.
Water, Canals, and Economic Justice
Mann is also pushing for more control over Punjab’s water resources. He argues that Punjab has no “surplus” water to share, especially in the context of the contentious Satluj‑Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. To reinforce his argument, he calls for a reassessment of water-sharing frameworks and proposes using rivers like the Chenab to build new canal infrastructure in Punjab.
His vision includes restoring old canals and building new ones, which would cater to farmers using river water instead of relying on over-exploited tube-wells. This, he claims, could save Punjab significant money and reduce groundwater stress.
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