Centre's Move to Bring Chandigarh Under Article 240 Sparks Political Uproar in Punjab

A major political controversy has erupted over the Centre's initiative to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would give the President direct regulatory authority over the Union Territory. Currently, Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, is administered by the Punjab Governor.

According to a Parliament bulletin, the government plans to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 during the upcoming Winter Session beginning December 1.

The ruling AAP and opposition parties Congress and Akali Dal have strongly condemned the Centre's move, describing it as "anti-Punjab."

Article 240 of the Constitution allows the President to create regulations for the peace, progress, and good governance of certain Union Territories: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.

Chandigarh was established as a Union Territory after Haryana was separated from Punjab in 1966. It serves as the joint capital for both states and is governed by an administrator, currently the Governor of Punjab. Political leaders in Punjab have consistently maintained that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and have called for Haryana to have its own separate capital.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Centre's move, stating that the central government is "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital. He emphasized that Chandigarh was, is, and will always remain an integral part of Punjab. "Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps," the Chief Minister declared.

Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief, described the Centre's initiative as an attack on Punjab's identity. "History is the witness: Punjabis have never bowed to dictatorship. It won't do so today either. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and it will remain so," he stated. "Punjab, which has always sacrificed for the country's security, grains and water, is being deprived of its right," Kejriwal added.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called the move "totally uncalled for," asserting that "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions." He challenged BJP leaders in Punjab to clarify their stance on this issue, saying, "Whether you are with Punjab or against Punjab will be determined by the position you take today."

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal stated that the "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" will be fought on "every front," emphasizing that "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable."