The Union Home Ministry on Sunday clarified that "no final decision" has been taken on bringing Chandigarh under the President's direct control and said it will not introduce any Bill on the matter in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
The clarification came after a political storm erupted in Punjab over the Centre’s proposal to change Chandigarh’s administrative framework.
"The proposal to simplify the process of law-making exclusively by the Central Government for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is currently under consideration at the level of the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. This proposal does not in any way involve altering the governance and administrative arrangements of Chandigarh or the traditional relations of Chandigarh with Punjab or Haryana. An appropriate decision will be taken only after adequate consultation with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of presenting any bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament," the Home Ministry stated in a clarification shared on X.
— PIB - Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) November 23, 2025
What Triggered the Political Row?
Tension escalated after reports suggested the Centre planned to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would allow the President to directly frame regulations for the Union Territory. Chandigarh is currently administered by the Punjab Governor and serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Parties Across Punjab Unite in Opposition
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP government of "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital, declaring: "Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab."
… pic.twitter.com/06K8e5wZ4w — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) November 22, 2025
AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the move, calling it "an attack on Punjab's identity" and stating: "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, and it will remain so. Punjab, which has always sacrificed for the country's security, grains and water, is being deprived of its right."
… https://t.co/Ed9Q3KNGYi — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 23, 2025
Congress, Akali Dal Also Push Back
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring termed the decision "totally uncalled for" and warned of "serious repercussions." Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu added: "This is an ill-advised misadventure. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab. Any attempt to change its status will be met with unprecedented resistance."
The proposed 131st amendment to the Constitution of India envisaging to separate Chandigarh from Punjab is quite worrying. If legislated, it will have a serious fallout in Punjab.
I urge the Government of India to clarify the matter as it has led to a lot of concern across… — Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) November 22, 2025
To plan and formulate a strong and decisive response against the anti-Punjab Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which aims to demolish Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh, I have called an EMERGENCY MEETING of the Core Committee of the party at 2 PM on Monday at the Party… pic.twitter.com/f3cmFsIq9c — Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) November 23, 2025
The opposition Akali Dal joined in, with former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal vowing to fight this "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" on "every front," asserting that "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable."
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) November 23, 2025
Even Punjab BJP Chief Voices Discomfort
Sharing a similar sentiment, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said "Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab" and assured that "Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government."
