This government is not known for backtracking on its decisions. But if we include the repeal of the three farm laws, then this government has reversed three major decisions concerning Punjab. This is a good thing. In a democracy, reversing unpopular decisions shows wisdom and sensitivity. But the question remains: why were these steps taken one after another at a time when Punjab has just gone through devastating floods, its economic situation is precarious, and the state is busy with events related to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur? Punjab is a border state with a long history of struggle. There should be no room for meddling without dialogue with the people. The same administrative arrogance and negligence were displayed when the farm laws were introduced. Now the same mistake has been repeated. Why is there such a consistent lack of understanding in dealing with Punjab?
First, an attempt was made to change the functioning of Punjab University in Chandigarh. It was established in Lahore in 1882, where a Punjab University still exists. In independent India, Punjab University was established in Chandigarh, where it has a beautiful campus. It is Punjab’s oldest and most prestigious university. It has made a significant contribution to educating Punjabis. Punjabis also have an emotional connection with it. I also studied there, and my parents were also students of this university in Lahore. In October, the central government, undermining the university’s autonomy, drastically changed the elections to its Senate. The number of Senate members was reduced from 91 to 31. The impression was that the central government wanted to end the university’s independence and take control. This led to a strong reaction. A major student movement erupted. Two universities had to be closed. 27 days of protests brought the political and social classes of Punjab (excluding the BJP) together on one platform against the center, forcing the central government to backtrack. After the Gen Z protests in Nepal, governments are generally wary of student unrest these days.
New elections have been announced, and they will now be held for only 91 seats. It is hoped that the FIRs and cases registered against the students will also be withdrawn. The world’s most renowned universities enjoy autonomy, which is why they provide quality education. Freedom of thought and expression is encouraged. In our country, be it JNU, Punjab University, or Banaras Hindu University, all are known for their academic freedom. Harvard, Cambridge, and Oxford universities are so famous because there is freedom of thought and speech there. Every ruler is bothered by such freedom. Donald Trump also attacked Harvard; he stopped its central funding. Such people do not understand that if the right to think is curtailed, the country’s progress will be hampered.
The Punjab University matter had not even cooled down when the central government indicated its intention to take another major step, which created a storm in Punjab. The matter was related to Chandigarh. Under public pressure, this step was also withdrawn, but why was it taken in the first place, knowing that Punjabis have an emotional connection with Chandigarh? They will not like any change in its constitutional status that weakens its connection with Punjab. Known as the ‘City Beautiful’, this new city was a gift from Jawaharlal Nehru to those who were left wounded by the partition of the country. Nehru understood their pain. Their capital, Lahore, remained in Pakistan. Chandigarh is not Lahore, because it cannot replicate history, but it is a city we can be proud of. Being a Union Territory, a lot of money is also spent on Chandigarh. There is a world of difference between the other dilapidated cities of Punjab and Chandigarh.
Chandigarh was given to Punjab in exchange for Lahore. The famous Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier was commissioned, and Nehru himself took a keen interest in its construction. Several poets have criticized its architecture. One gentleman who taught us even wrote a poem complaining that it was a “city of stones, a city of stony hearts.” Chandigarh has changed a lot since then, but unfortunately, a controversy has become attached to its existence, and a solution seems elusive. The current move by the central government has reignited this dormant issue. When it was built for Punjab, that Punjab extended from Amritsar to Delhi. Manali and the Rohtang Pass were also part of Punjab. When Punjab was divided on linguistic lines in 1966, and half the territory was carved out, Chandigarh was declared the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. The thinking then was that Haryana would build its own capital, perhaps in Rohtak, and Chandigarh would remain the capital of the remaining Punjab. But the matter has been hanging fire for six decades.
Manish Tewari, the MP from Chandigarh, has written, “After the loss of Lahore, Chandigarh was always seen as the capital of Punjab…This is a cultural and linguistic reality that cannot be wished away.” Chandigarh was never conceived as a centrally administered city. It is a city built for Punjab. When it was made a Union Territory in 1966, it was a temporary arrangement. The current central government tried to quietly settle the Chandigarh issue without consultation. The attempt was to amend the law and bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, like other Union Territories. Preparations had begun to introduce a bill to this effect in Parliament, which has now been dropped after the uproar. If this law had been passed, Punjab’s remaining connection with the city would have been severed, and the city would have come under the Lieutenant Governor like other Union Territories. A similar attempt was made in 2016 as well. An attempt was made to eliminate the role of the Governor of Punjab and replace him with an administrator, which had to be reversed, just like now.
It is wise to reverse this step. It is surprising that such a mistake was made in understanding the history of Punjab and the resilient mindset of its people. Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is now in the BJP, has also complained that “the Centre does not understand Punjab properly”. In the current situation, Punjab needs healing, not provocation, which is not being provided. After the floods, the Prime Minister announced a grant of ₹1600 crore. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann complains that this money has not been given to Punjab, and whatever money has come is from general government schemes that would have been received even without the floods. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu says that ₹800 crore has already been sent. I don’t know what the correct situation is, but the impression has spread in Punjab that the central government is neither discriminating against the state nor cooperating with it. Punjab is a border state where Pakistan constantly conspires. It may continue to do so in the future. Such conspiracies cannot be countered by neglecting the state. Being a border state, Punjab has its own special needs that should be taken care of. Punjab is today the most indebted state after Arunachal Pradesh. The state’s liabilities amount to ₹378,453 crore. 70% of the borrowed money is spent on paying interest on the debt. Very little money is left to spend on public welfare schemes. The state is located in a corner of the country, due to which investors are not interested in investing money here. Frequent protests and highway blockades have also tarnished Punjab’s image. Drugs have ruined a generation. The current government is trying to eradicate it, but the previous governments were so liberal and negligent towards drugs that the roots of this notorious business are very deep.
Finally: I often wonder what would have happened if Punjab had not been partitioned in 1966? Haryana, which was a very backward area in undivided Punjab, is today one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Its proximity to Delhi has greatly benefited Haryana, while Punjab continues to lag behind. Punjab ranks 16th in GDP, whereas it once held the number one position. If Punjab had remained united, the Chandigarh dispute wouldn’t have arisen. Punjabi would have been taught all the way to Delhi. Thriving and revenue-generating cities like Gurugram and Faridabad would have been ours. We would have had 23 Members of Parliament. We would have been respected in Delhi.
