'No decision yet': MHA on Chandigarh row

Amid the political controversy over the Centre's plan to bring Chandigarh under the President's direct control, the Union Home Ministry has said "no final decision" has been taken and that a "decision will only be made after consultation with all stakeholders". The ministry has also said it does not plan to introduce a Bill on this issue in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. "A proposal to ease lawmaking for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is under the central government's consideration. No final decision has been made. This proposal does not contain anything about Chandigarh's administration or its traditional ties with Punjab or Haryana.

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…

— PIB - Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) November 23, 2025

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, assuring that the "confusion" regarding the Union territory will be resolved. "Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first," said Jakhar in a post on X. The Centre has proposed to include the UT of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and to legislate directly.
Earlier, a massive political row has erupted over the issue. Both the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress and Akali Dal have slammed the Centre's move, terming it "anti-Punjab".Article 240 of the Constitution states that the President may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the Union Territory of (a) the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; (b) Lakshadweep (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli; (d) Daman and Diu and (e) Puducherry. Currently, the Punjab Governor is the administrator of Chandigarh, which is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. According to a Parliament bulletin, the Centre plans to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 in the upcoming Winter Session starting December 1.Chandigarh was created as a Union Territory after Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966. It is the joint capital for Haryana and Punjab and is governed by an administrator.
Slamming the Centre's move, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said the central government is "conspiring to snatch" Punjab's capital. Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of the state, he said. "Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps," the Chief Minister has said.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has called the move "totally uncalled for". "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions," he said. The Ludhiana MP asked BJP leaders in Punjab to clarify their position on this matter. "Whether you are with Punjab or against Punjab will be determined by the position you take today," he said.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the "anti-Punjab Bill" and "blatant attack on federal structure" will be fought on "every front". "Punjab's right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable," he has said.