Chandigarh law-making simplification proposal is still under consideration: MHA

The Union Home Ministry Sunday clarified that a proposal aimed solely at simplifying the Central government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration, adding that it has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

At present, Chandigarh is administered by the Punjab Governor and serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

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The Union Home Ministry issued the clarification amid a major political row that erupted in Punjab after the Centre signalled its intent to bring Chandigarh under the purview of Article 240 of the Constitution, a move that would empower the President to directly frame regulations for the Union Territory.

In Punjab, the proposal has triggered strong opposition from the AAP, Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.

In a post on X, PIB-Ministry of Home Affairs said, “The proposal only to simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal.”

“The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana,” the Ministry said.

“A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament,” the Ministry further said in the post on X.

However, a Parliament bulletin has indicated that the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, is likely to be introduced during the Winter Session beginning December 1, setting off protests across the political spectrum in Punjab.

Meanwhile, many leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders in the state, have slammed the Centre’s proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill for the upcoming Winter Session, which aims to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution.

Kejriwal termed it an attempt to “strip Punjab of its rights over Chandigarh.”
Calling it an assault on Punjab and the federal structure of administration in India, the AAP leader in a post on X said, “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.”

Further, he said Chandigarh, a Union Territory shared by Punjab and Haryana, will remain part of Punjab.

“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,” the X post added.

Punjab CM Mann also opposed the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, asserting that it goes against Punjab’s interests and could weaken the state’s authority over Chandigarh. He asserted that Punjab would not allow any move that threatens its rights over the Union Territory.

Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that his party will oppose the plan in “every possible way”.

“We will oppose this both in Parliament and on the streets. This is a fight for Punjab, and we will fight it in every possible way. We will discuss the matter in the Political Affairs Committee, all leaders will give their opinions, and then we will decide our strategy,” Warring told a news agency.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal also echoed similar sentiments, saying it is a direct attack on Punjab’s rights and violates the basic principles of federalism . Badal said the Bill goes against earlier promises made to Punjab about handing over Chandigarh to the state.

In a post on X, Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote, “Shiromani Akali Dal strongly opposes the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Union Government in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. This amendment is against the interest of Punjab and would amount to the GOI going back on all commitments made to Punjab regarding the transfer of Chandigarh to the state.”

Chandigarh was created as a Union Territory in 1966 when Haryana was carved out of Punjab and has since functioned as a shared capital.

While the Governor of Punjab also serves as Chandigarh’s administrator, political leaders in the state have consistently argued that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and that Haryana should have a separate capital.