The central government is gearing up to present a constitutional amendment, the 131st Amendment Bill 2025, in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. Under this proposal, Chandigarh would be shifted from the jurisdiction of Punjab's governor to a newly appointed administrator or LG. Presently, the governor of Punjab also serves as Chandigarh's administrator. This proposal has ignited a fierce political debate in Punjab.
The amendment aims to position Chandigarh under Article 240, granting the President the direct authority to legislate for this Union Territory, similar to the administrative setup of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which do not have legislative assemblies.
Read More: 'Threat to my life, Chandigarh police not providing protection,' says Beant Singh murder case witness Balwinder Bittu
Meanwhile, parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal have opposed the proposal. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed strong dissent, viewing it as a direct assault on Punjab’s identity.
What did Kejriwal say about the proposed constitutional amendment?
Arvind Kejriwal remarked, "The BJP government's attempt to eradicate Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendment is not a mere step but a direct attack on Punjab’s identity and constitutional rights. Disregarding the federal structure to snatch away rights is a dangerous mindset."
Source: aajtak
Further, the former Delhi CM commented, "The Punjab which has always sacrificed for national security, grains, water, and humanity is now being deprived of its rightful share. This is not just an administrative decision but an assault to the soul of Punjab. History shows that Punjabis never bowed to tyranny; they will not do so today. Chandigarh belongs and will always belong to Punjab."
Read More:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has denounced it as a "conspiracy against Punjab’s interests," asserting that Chandigarh was built by demolishing Punjab’s villages hence belongs solely to Punjab.
Akali Dal joins the opposition
Shiromani Akali Dal's chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has called for an emergency core committee meeting at the party office in Chandigarh to forge a robust strategy against the Constitutional Amendment Bill 131, intended to revoke Punjab's claim over Chandigarh. He assured Punjab’s people that the Akali Dal will combat this move, which is a direct assault on the federal structure, at all levels to prevent its success. Sukhbir Badal reiterated that "Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh is non-negotiable."
What does Article 240 state?
Article 240 empowers the President of India to make regulations for certain Union Territories. These include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.
However, if a legislative assembly or legislature is established in a Union Territory (like Puducherry) under Article 239A, the President cannot proclaim new regulations from the first meeting day of the assembly.
Another significant aspect of Article 240 is that any regulation made by the President can amend or repeal any pre-existing law or parliamentary law in that UT. Such regulations are deemed as powerful as a law passed by Parliament.
