New Delhi, Nov. 23 -- The Union Home Ministry on Sunday moved to calm escalating political tensions in Punjab, clarifying that it has no plan to introduce the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill concerning the administration of Chandigarh during the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, following a day of intense criticism from leaders across the political spectrum. The ministry stated that the proposal, which appeared in a parliamentary bulletin listing ten provisional bills for consideration when the session begins on December 1, is still under examination, and no final decision has been reached. The announcement came after major parties in Punjab accused the Centre of attempting to alter long-standing administrative arrangements around Chandigarh and undermining the state's rights over the Union territory.
In a formal statement issued Sunday, the Home Ministry said, "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." A spokesperson further noted that the proposal is aimed only at simplifying the Centre's law-making process for Chandigarh and does not seek to change "traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana".
The bill listed in the parliamentary bulletin proposed bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which grants the president authority to make regulations for Union territories that do not have legislatures, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry when its assembly is suspended. Under the provision, presidential regulations carry the weight of Acts of Parliament and may repeal or amend laws applicable in the territory. The bill's appearance in the bulletin immediately triggered fears among Punjab leaders that the move could lead to the appointment of an independent administrator for Chandigarh rather than the current system of the Punjab governor serving as administrator and could weaken the state's historical claim over the shared capital.
The political reaction was swift and intense. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal denounced the proposal, describing it as a "direct attack" on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. In a post on X, he wrote, "The BJP-led central government's attempt to eliminate Punjab's rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendment is not part of a simple move but a direct attack on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. This mentality of undermining the federal structure and depriving Punjabis of their rights is extremely dangerous." He added that the move was "akin to wounding the soul of Punjab" and asserted that "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain with Punjab".
Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also strongly criticised the proposal, declaring, "With this amendment, Chandigarh will be converted into a state, and Punjab will completely lose its right over Chandigarh." She termed the proposal a "robbery of the rights of Punjab" and a violation of the federal structure. The Shiromani Akali Dal has called for an emergency meeting of its core committee on November 24 to finalise a strategy to oppose the move in Parliament. Party leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the meeting would be chaired by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and senior constitutional experts would be consulted.
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa alleged that the bill represented another attempt by the BJP to create instability in Punjab. According to him, the Centre was seeking to provoke confrontation in the state to justify imposing governor's rule. "They know Punjabis will oppose such an attack on our rights with full force. The ensuing confrontation will only provide the BJP with an excuse to push for governor's rule in the state," Bajwa said, warning that disturbing the state's peace would be dangerous.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the proposal demonstrated an attempt by the Centre to "capture" Punjab through "dictatorship". He linked the move to previous disputes such as control over the Bhakra Beas Management Board and Panjab University and accusations surrounding the now-repealed farm laws. Addressing the media, he asserted that people in Punjab would resist the plan: "Just as the regime of 350 years ago attacked its people, the current central government is attacking Punjab on every front."
Congress MLA Pargat Singh urged the state government to formally oppose the proposal. He called for an all-party meeting and a protest delegation to Delhi to register an objection with the president. "This is an act of sheer aggression that Punjab will never accept," he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed the Home Ministry's clarification, saying he was relieved that the bill would not be tabled in Parliament. In a post on X, he wrote, "I hope that in the future too, no decision related to Punjab will be taken without consulting the people of Punjab." Speaking later to reporters in Anandpur Sahib, he questioned why the Centre initiated the proposal if it needed to be withdrawn after protests.
Meanwhile, the state BJP refuted accusations against the Centre, asserting that the opposition had manufactured panic for political gain. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma accused AAP, the Congress and the Akali Dal of spreading "false and misleading propaganda". Calling the reactions political theatre, Sharma said, "BJP has protected Punjab's rights at every step, whether it is the issue of water, Chandigarh, or any other matter related to the interests of Punjab." He added that problems surrounding Chandigarh and Centre-state relations were the result of "decades-long mistakes committed by the Congress and Akali Dal".
The controversy has revived historical tensions over Chandigarh, which has been the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since November 1, 1966. Initially administered by its own chief secretary, the Union territory came under the governance of the Punjab governor from June 1, 1984, when the chief secretary's post was converted to adviser to the administrator. In August 2016, the Centre attempted to appoint former IAS officer K J Alphons as a full-time administrator but withdrew the move after strong resistance from Punjab leaders, including then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and members of the Congress and AAP.
Punjab continues to reiterate its demand for the immediate transfer of Chandigarh, raised again recently during a Northern Zonal Council meeting in Faridabad. With political tempers still running high, multiple parties have vowed to remain vigilant should the bill be revived in the future.
The Home Ministry noted that any decision will follow broad consultations, stating that the proposal does not alter governance structures or the existing relationship between Chandigarh and Punjab and Haryana.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.