The planned centenary celebration for the historic Gang Canal in Punjab was abruptly called off at the last minute, leading to the recall of a Union Minister from the event site. The cancellation has thrown a spotlight on the simmering political and inter-state tensions surrounding water-sharing issues in northern India.
Last-Minute Cancellation Sparks Controversy
The function, scheduled for Monday to mark 100 years of the Gang Canal, was cancelled after Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, was instructed to return to Delhi. Officials from the central government communicated this directive, leading to the sudden scrapping of the event in the Ferozepur district.
Former Governor of Punjab and the event's chief guest, Satyapal Malik, confirmed the developments. He revealed that the Union Minister had already reached Punjab when she received orders from Delhi to turn back. "The Union minister had come to Punjab, but she was called back from here," Malik stated, highlighting the unexpected nature of the decision.
Political Undertones and Water Disputes
The cancellation is not merely an administrative change but is deeply entwined with the contentious politics of water distribution. The Gang Canal, originating from the Ferozepur headworks, is a critical source of irrigation for the northern region of Rajasthan, including areas like Sriganganagar. Its waters are allocated under the Rajasthan Canal Project Agreement of 1955.
However, Punjab has long contested this agreement. The state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has consistently argued that Punjab does not have surplus water to share with Rajasthan. This stance is part of a broader, decades-long dispute over river water sharing among northern states. The centenary event, which would have celebrated a symbol of water-sharing, became politically inconvenient against this backdrop of ongoing legal and political wrangling.
Satyapal Malik did not mince words, directly linking the cancellation to pressure from the Punjab government. He asserted that the event was cancelled because the state administration objected to the celebration of a canal that carries Punjab's water to Rajasthan.
Reactions and Implications
The last-minute cancellation has generated significant political ripples. It underscores the sensitivity of interstate water disputes and how they can dictate political and ceremonial decisions. By calling off the event, the authorities have avoided a potential public relations conflict where Punjab's government could be seen celebrating a water-sharing arrangement it officially disputes.
This incident also highlights the complex interplay between the central and state governments on emotive regional issues. The recall of a Union Minister on the eve of the event demonstrates how quickly plans can change when faced with strong state-level opposition.
The Gang Canal, a century-old engineering feat, remains at the heart of a modern-day political struggle. Its cancelled centenary function serves as a stark reminder that in India, water is not just a resource but a potent political issue capable of altering schedules, recalling ministers, and rewriting event plans. The focus now shifts to how the underlying dispute between Punjab and Rajasthan will be addressed in the future.
