Political outrage over proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240

The Centre’s proposal to place the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution — which authorises the President to frame regulations and legislate directly for Union Territories — has sparked a major political storm in Punjab.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, is slated to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament starting December 1, as per notifications issued by both Houses.

The move aims to bring Chandigarh in line with other UTs without legislatures.

Political parties across Punjab, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have denounced the proposal, accusing the BJP-ruled Centre of attempting to erode Punjab’s long-standing claim over Chandigarh — the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since the Punjab Reorganisation Act (1966).

Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, former minister Joginder Singh Maan, Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal and senior SAD leader Ranjit Singh Khurana have issued strongly worded statements, condemning the move as “anti-Punjab”.

They asserted that Chandigarh was established as Punjab’s Capital in 1966, with the Punjab Governor serving as its administrator for decades.

A leader alleged that the Bill was “politically loaded”, and urged the Centre not to proceed with it, warning that it would be a “betrayal of Punjabis who have made unparalleled sacrifices for the nation” and a violation of past assurances to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab.

The Amendment, the leaders said, effectively sought to dilute Punjab’s historic and constitutional claim to its Capital. Dr Chabbewal termed the proposal “daylight robbery”, and called for collective resistance, across party lines.

He urged all MPs from Punjab to rise above political differences and form a united front to defeat the Amendment in the upcoming Winter Session.

Dhaliwal echoed the call for unity, insisting that Punjab’s political leadership must speak in one voice on a matter so deeply linked to the state’s identity and federal rights.

Dr Chabbewal pressed Punjab BJP leaders to clarify their stance on what he described as one of the most sensitive issues concerning Punjab’s constitutional and historic claims. The controversy is expected to intensify as the Winter Session approaches, with political parties vowing to resist any attempt to alter Chandigarh’s status without Punjab’s consent.