The Union government has clarified that the proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution remains under consideration, while confirming it has no intention to introduce such legislation during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. This statement came following significant political unrest in Punjab triggered by parliamentary bulletin entries suggesting the Centre planned to table the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Political Backlash Forces Clarification
Strong protests erupted across Punjab's political spectrum after Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha bulletins indicated the Centre's potential move to introduce the controversial bill during the parliamentary session starting December 1. The clarification from the Union government emerged after Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar personally expressed reservations about the proposed legislation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Political parties in Punjab, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal, interpreted the proposal as preparing ground for appointing an independent Administrator or Lieutenant Governor for Chandigarh. Since 1984, the Governor of Punjab has served as the Administrator of Chandigarh, and any change to this arrangement is viewed as diluting Punjab's historical claims over the city.
Why Chandigarh Remains an Emotional Flashpoint
Chandigarh holds profound emotional and historical significance for Punjabis. After losing Lahore to Pakistan during Partition in 1947, the planned city was conceived as Punjab's new capital. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned Chandigarh as a modern, forward-looking city that would serve as what he famously called "a panacea for the wound that had been inflicted on Punjab" during Partition.
The city officially became Punjab's capital on September 21, 1953, with President Rajendra Prasad inaugurating it on October 7, 1953. However, the 1966 reorganization that created Haryana transformed Chandigarh into a shared capital for both states under central administration as a Union Territory.
Historical Promises and Contemporary Tensions
On January 29, 1970, the Union government announced that Chandigarh should ultimately transfer to Punjab, with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi promising Haryana would develop its own capital. This commitment remains unfulfilled, creating persistent grievances in Punjab.
The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill aimed to include Chandigarh under Article 240, placing it in the same category as other Union Territories without legislatures. This would empower the President to frame regulations for Chandigarh and potentially appoint a Lieutenant Governor, replacing the current arrangement where the Punjab Governor serves as Administrator.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly opposed any such move, declaring "We will not allow the conspiracy to succeed. Chandigarh, built by uprooting the villages of Punjab, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away."
For many Sikhs and Punjabis, Chandigarh represents both modern Punjabi aspirations and post-partition rebuilding memories, making any administrative changes to its status trigger strong reactions across the political spectrum.
