The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tore into the BJP-led Central Government for its proposed move to use a constitutional amendment (131st Amendment) to strip Punjab of its authority over Chandigarh, declaring it as an assault on the basic spirit of federalism. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said the Modi Government is inflicting a deep wound on Punjab’s identity by attempting to detach Chandigarh from the state.
The AAP Chief pointed out Punjab, which has sacrificed the most for the nation’s security, food, water and humanity, is today being deprived of what rightfully belongs to it, adding that Punjabis have never bowed before tyranny and that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain so.
In a statement on X, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrote: “The BJP-led central government’s attempt to strip Punjab of its rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendments is not part of any ordinary step, but a direct assault on Punjab’s identity and constitutional rights. This mindset of tearing apart the federal structure to snatch away Punjabis’ rights is extremely dangerous.”
Noting Punjab’s contribution to the country, the AAP Chief further wrote: “The Punjab that has always sacrificed for the country’s security, grain, water, and humanity is today being deprived of its own rightful share. This is not merely an administrative decision but akin to wounding the soul of Punjab. History bears witness that Punjabis have never bowed their heads before any dictatorship. Punjab will not bow today either. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain Punjab’s.”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia wrote on X: “The BJP-led Central Government is committing the biggest robbery on the rights of every Punjabi. The law that ends Punjab’s rightful claim over Chandigarh is a direct murder of the Constitution’s basic spirit, that is, federalism. How pained Babasaheb Ambedkar’s soul must be today. He could have never imagined that one day such a government would come at the Centre whose mindset would be to weaken and destroy the states.”
“Look at the level of shamelessness of the BJP. It is attacking the rights of Punjabis at a time when the entire world is bowing in reverence on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. It was Guru Sahib who travelled from Punjab to Delhi and took on Aurangzeb’s tyranny head-on to protect Hindu dharma and humanity. History is witness that Punjab has never bowed before Delhi’s tyranny, and it never will,” concluded the post.
