A political storm has erupted in Punjab following the central government's proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. The move has sparked strong reactions across the state, with several political parties expressing concern and calling it a potential change to Chandigarh's administrative status and Punjab's long-standing claim to the Union Territory.
According to a Parliament bulletin, the Centre plans to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 in the upcoming Winter Session starting December 1. This constitutional maneuver will empower the President to make regulations for Chandigarh directly, effectively stripping Punjab of its administrative connection to its own capital.
What's At Stake: Understanding Article 240
Article 240 of the Constitution allows the President to make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of specific Union Territories: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. Chandigarh is currently NOT under Article 240.
Chandigarh was created as a Union Territory after Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966. It serves as the joint capital for both Haryana and Punjab and is governed by an administrator, currently the Governor of Punjab. This is the critical difference the Centre now wants to eliminate.
Punjab's United Political Fury
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has come out swinging. Slamming the BJP government for "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital, Mann declared: "Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab. Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps."
… pic.twitter.com/06K8e5wZ4w — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) November 22, 2025
AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the move "an attack on Punjab's identity," declaring: " 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
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring termed the move "totally uncalled for," warning that "any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions."This is an ill-advised misadventure which will have serious repercussions. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab. Any attempt to change its status will be met with unprecedented resistance," Ludhiana MP said.
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
Even the opposition Akali Dal joined the chorus. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal vowed to fight this "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" on "every front," declaring: "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable."
