Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal strongly opposed the Union government’s reported plan to introduce the 131st Constitutional Amendment, which he believes aims to permanently detach Chandigarh from Punjab.
Sukhbir Badal argued that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and he warned that any attempt to alter its status will provoke intense public and political resistance.
Badal said the proposed amendment seeks to remove Punjab’s administrative and political authority over Chandigarh, which he described as a direct attack on Punjab’s rights and an assault on the idea of federalism. He stressed that Punjabis have contributed immensely to India’s freedom struggle, food security and national defence, and therefore deserve fair treatment.
He reminded the Centre of its past commitments. In 1970, the Union government agreed in principle to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. Later, the Rajiv–Longowal Accord set January 1986 as the official deadline for the transfer. Even though Parliament ratified the accord, the transfer never happened.
Badal also accused the Centre of diluting Punjab’s claim over the decades by weakening the 60:40 staffing formula, increasing UT-cadre postings, and reducing Punjab’s influence over Panjab University.
He said Punjabis now feel ignored and discriminated against as the Centre appears determined to run Chandigarh entirely under its control.
