Chandigarh, May 22, 2025 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued a strong statement reaffirming his government's unwavering commitment to protecting the state's rightful share of river water. In a bold declaration, Mann emphasized that no other state would be allowed to "steal Punjab's share of water."
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing debates and legal disputes concerning inter-state river water sharing, especially around the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. Bhagwant Mann stressed that Punjab, already facing acute water stress, cannot afford to give up even a drop of its allocated resources.
“Punjab’s farmers and citizens depend on this water for their livelihood and survival. We will not allow anyone to exploit our resources unjustly. This is not just a political issue—it is a matter of life and death for our people,” said Mann while addressing a public gathering.
The Punjab government has long maintained that the state’s groundwater levels are depleting at an alarming rate and further diversion of water would have catastrophic consequences for its agrarian economy. Citing environmental and constitutional grounds, Mann reiterated that Punjab’s water rights are protected by law and that any forced diversion would be resisted with all legal and democratic means.
Mann also took a dig at previous administrations for what he described as "negligence and political compromise" over Punjab’s water issues. He assured the people of the state that his government would continue to fight for their interests at every forum, including the Supreme Court and Parliament.
This strong stance by the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is likely to intensify the political discourse around water sharing in northern India, especially with neighboring states like Haryana and Rajasthan also laying claim to water from the rivers flowing through Punjab.
The issue of river water sharing has remained one of the most sensitive and long-standing disputes in Indian federal politics. With the onset of summer and rising temperatures, the urgency surrounding water availability is expected to heighten, making it a focal point of regional politics in the coming months.
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