Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday stressed the importance of strengthening bonds between Punjab and Haryana, referring to Haryana as Punjab’s “younger brother.” He appealed to the Centre, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to prioritize unity between the two states instead of deepening divisions.
While addressing the Punjab Assembly during a debate on the Centre’s decision to deploy CISF personnel at the Bhakra-Nangal dam, Mann criticised the ongoing political friction—especially over the long-standing water-sharing disputes between the two neighbouring states.
“Punjab and Haryana collectively contribute over 70% to India’s national food pool, yet political parties have continued to sow discord, particularly over water rights, despite shared interests,” Mann said. He urged both states to adopt a collaborative approach for regional development and prosperity.
Highlighting the decades-old disagreements regarding river water distribution, Mann called for a fresh assessment of river flows through Punjab—particularly the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to re-evaluate allocations to Haryana and Rajasthan. “Water distribution reviews should be conducted every 25 years, but none have taken place for decades,” he noted.
Asserting that Punjab lacks surplus water, the CM underscored the emotional and practical importance of water rights for the people of the state. He also pointed to recent developments in the Indus Waters Treaty, suggesting that waters from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab could be considered to meet Punjab’s future needs. He advocated for constructing new storage dams upstream in Himachal Pradesh to bolster availability.
In a separate statement, Mann stood by popular Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, who faced criticism for his film Sardarji 3 featuring a Pakistani actress. Responding to backlash linked to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Mann clarified that the film was shot months before the incident and condemned the unjust criticism.
He further decried the constant questioning of Punjabis’ patriotism, stating, “Despite our unmatched contributions to national security and food production, Punjabis continue to be unfairly targeted.”
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised concerns over state land use, alleging that 40,000 acres of fertile agricultural land had been handed over to real estate developers, threatening the interests of Punjab’s farmers.
“This performance by the CM won’t mislead the public. The people of Punjab are aware of the truth,” Bajwa said, accusing the government of insincerity toward protecting farmers’ rights.
In response, Mann dismissed the opposition’s remarks as unfounded and criticised them for lacking commitment to Punjab’s core issues.
