Chandigarh 11 July 2025 : The second day of the Punjab Assembly session began at 10 AM with high tension as the Congress created a ruckus right from the start. On this day, the government is set to present important bills related to the sacrilege of religious scriptures as well as five bills concerning the removal of CISF from dam security.
During the session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised the crucial issue of water sharing and targeted the central government. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) and that all-party meetings had taken place recently where leaders agreed to stand united on this issue. Referring to the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) meeting held in Delhi two days ago, he highlighted how these talks lasted for over three hours and said that while officers give presentations dating back to 1955, Punjab follows a 1975 model.
CM Mann questioned the logic of water agreements that have not been reviewed even though, legally, they should be reconsidered every 25 years. He added that BBMB meetings happen monthly and the river water cycle is counted from May 21 to May 21 annually.
Water crisis raised again
The CM revealed that Punjab has been writing letters for the past five months, but the Haryana government hasn’t responded. He stated emotionally that in Punjab, people have died over water disputes and asked how Punjab can give water to Haryana when it itself is facing a shortage.
Targeting the central government, he openly expressed dissatisfaction over BBMB decisions, the Pathankot attack, and citizenship-related issues. He said, “I told the Centre that no agreement should be made just because Trump says so. If 23 MAF (Million Acre Feet) water is to be sent from Punjab, a canal will have to be built. And if the canal passes through our land, we should also get that water. It cannot happen that a canal flows through our land, and even our goats can’t drink from it.”
Criticism of BBMB and Centre
He criticized BBMB saying Punjab pays 60% of the board’s expenses, yet they go to court against Punjab. “Even the lawyer who stands against us in court is paid 60% of his fee by Punjab.”
Referring to the Pathankot attack, Mann said, “At that time the Congress was in power in Punjab, and after two and a half months, the Centre sent a bill of ₹7.5 crore for paramilitary deployment. I had gone to the Defence Minister and said our boys serve in the army, and now you’re giving us paramilitary on rent? Are we just here to die?”
Direct attack on the central government
Mann added, “Punjab supplies 180 lakh metric tonnes of grain to the country. Don’t we have the right to question the Centre’s policies?” On the water dispute with Haryana, he questioned why the Centre can mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, but not resolve an internal water issue between Punjab and Haryana.
He criticized the condition of infrastructure, saying, “Here, sewer lids are missing, but we talk about Chandrayaan.”
Mann also mocked the lack of water awareness among the elite, saying, “Those whose homes have golden taps and where canals end, what would they know about water problems?” Referring to the Punjab-Haryana water dispute, he said both states are relatives and their water samples are the same. “We have no water to give, but we are the descendants of Bhai Kanhaiya, who served even enemies — and Haryana is still our brother.”
On dam security, CM Mann demanded CRPF be withdrawn, and local security be deployed instead.
On Diljit Dosanjh’s film, he clarified that the shooting in Pahalgam happened before the terror attack. Now, the film is being opposed because of the presence of a Pakistani actor. “Earlier you call Sardars your pride, and then you call them traitors. Even PM Modi went to Pakistan to eat biryani,” Mann concluded sarcastically.
Summary:
During the Punjab Assembly session, CM Bhagwant Mann criticized the central government over unequal water distribution and demanded fair rights for Punjab, citing the state’s depleting resources.