November 25th 2025.
The government at the Centre, led by the NDA, seems to have taken on a task that may prove to be too difficult for them. News spread quickly about their plans to change the constitutional status of Chandigarh, and it caused quite a stir. However, they have now clarified that they do not intend to present a bill in the next session of Parliament to place Chandigarh under Article 240. This clarification only goes to show that the government is aware of the political and emotional turmoil that their proposal has caused.
One can only speculate that the government was testing the waters when the Rajya Sabha bulletin mentioned the Constitution Bill, 2025. This bill would have allowed the President to appoint a separate Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory. However, what they did not anticipate was the strong opposition that arose from Punjab. All political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and even the Punjab unit of BJP, came together to denounce this move. They saw it as an attack on Punjab's historic and emotional connection to its capital.
Their concerns were not baseless. If Chandigarh had been brought under Article 240, it would have been governed just like any other Union Territory, such as Daman and Diu, with a centrally appointed administrator. For Punjab, a state that has long felt betrayed by broken promises, this was yet another reminder of unfulfilled commitments. Chandigarh is not just any other Union Territory; it holds a special place in Punjab's heart as it was created after the loss of Lahore to Pakistan. It was meant to be a new, planned city at the center of the state.
In 1966, when Haryana was formed on the basis of language, Chandigarh became a shared capital with a 60:40 division. However, Haryana was promised compensation, which has yet to be fulfilled. Both states have built their own satellite cities, Mohali and Panchkula, without giving up their claims on Chandigarh. This has only added to Punjab's grievances, and the unfulfilled promise of Chandigarh has been a source of tension and militancy in the past.
The central government must understand the gravity of this situation and not make any rash decisions. The promise that no bill will be introduced without consulting all stakeholders is a positive step in the right direction. The future of Chandigarh cannot be reshaped without considering the sentiments of the people of Punjab. It requires patient dialogue, clear constitutional guidelines, and most importantly, sensitivity towards the deep emotional attachment that the people of Punjab have towards this city. Only then can a fair and long-lasting solution be reached for a city that represents both hope and heartache.
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