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The Parliament bulletin mentioned the proposal to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, which sparked sharp reactions in Punjab, while the Center said no bill was being introduced now.
Chandigarh status controversy heats up before winter session
A major controversy erupted after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 was listed in the bulletin of Parliament for introduction in the winter session beginning December 1, 2025. The listing revealed that the Center intends to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, a change that will allow the President to make rules for the Union Territory similar to other Union Territories without legislatures.
Leaders across Punjab immediately objected and accused the Center of trying to weaken the state’s historic position over Chandigarh. The Union Home Ministry later clarified that no such bill would be introduced in the upcoming session.
The exchange has revived long-standing tensions over the constitutional status of Chandigarh and why Punjab reacts sharply to any proposal affecting it.
What will the proposed bill do?
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been mentioned in the bulletins of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The proposal seeks to include Chandigarh under Article 240, a constitutional provision that empowers the President to make rules for union territories that do not have their own legislature, such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. In the case of Puducherry, these powers come into force when its assembly is dissolved or suspended.
If implemented, this change will allow the President to make rules for Chandigarh as well. This was widely seen as opening the possibility of appointing an independent administrator, similar to a Lieutenant Governor, in place of the existing arrangement in which the Governor of Punjab serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh. A comparable effort in 2016 was ultimately withdrawn after protests from leaders in Punjab.
How is the governance of Chandigarh today?
Chandigarh is a union territory and also serves as the common capital of Punjab and Haryana since the reorganization of Punjab in 1966. Before 1984, the city had an independent chief secretary. After that, the Governor of Punjab took over as the administrator and a UT advisor took over the role of Chief Secretary. This administrative structure has remained unchanged over the decades and is central to Punjab’s understanding of its continuing role in the city.
What has the Center clarified?
Following the political backlash, the Home Ministry issued a detailed clarification on Sunday. It said, “A proposal to make it easier for UTs to make laws is under consideration,” but added that “no final decision has been taken.” The ministry said the proposal “does not affect the administrative system of Chandigarh or its relations with Punjab or Haryana,” and confirmed that “no bill will be introduced in the upcoming winter session.”
In another statement, the ministry reiterated that the proposal is only intended to “simplify the process of Central Government making laws for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.” It added that the proposal “does not seek to alter in any way the governance or administrative structure of Chandigarh, nor is it intended to alter the customary arrangement between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana.” It added that any decision would be taken only after “adequate consultation with all stakeholders”.
Why the strong opposition to Punjab?
All political parties in Punjab have rejected the proposal, saying it weakens the state’s established claim on Chandigarh.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the Center was “conspiring to snatch” the Punjab capital and said, “Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and will take necessary steps.” In another post, he said, “This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched against Punjab by the Central Government to succeed in any way. Chandigarh, which was built by destroying the villages of our Punjab, completely belongs to Punjab. We will not let our rights go away just like that. We will take whatever steps are necessary for this.”
I have a good option and much more (131 years) once you go to your partner. Buy a New Card Anime Credit Card Answers. And many more… pic.twitter.com/06K8e5wZ4w
– Bhagwant Maan (@BhagwantMaan) 22 November 2025
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Waring described the move as “deeply worrying” and said, “Chandigarh belongs to Punjab. Any attempt to change its status will be met with unprecedented resistance.”
The proposed 131st amendment to the Constitution of India, which envisages separating Chandigarh from Punjab, is quite worrying. If the law is made, it will have serious consequences in Punjab. I urge the Government of India to clarify this matter as it has caused a lot of concern across the country…-Amarinder Singh Raja Waring (@RajaBrar_INC) 22 November 2025
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal argued that the bill was “against the interest of Punjab” and said it would amount to “going back on all commitments made to Punjab by the Government of India regarding transfer of Chandigarh to the state.” He further said, “This Bill also seeks to end whatever little administrative and political control Punjab has over Chandigarh and will permanently end Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh as its capital.”
Shiromani Akali Dal strongly opposes the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. This amendment is against the interest of Punjab and would amount to a retreat by the Government of India from all its commitments… pic.twitter.com/LwNJQSOAmo
– Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) 22 November 2025
Why does Chandigarh hold such deep importance for Punjab?
Chandigarh’s importance to Punjab dates back to the post-partition years, when the state lost its historic capital Lahore to Pakistan. Shimla served as a temporary capital until March 1948, when the central and Punjab governments selected land in the Himalayan foothills for a new city. 22 villages of Kharar were acquired for the project. The master plan was prepared by architect Le Corbusier and Chandigarh formally became the capital of Punjab on 21 September 1953.
President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the capital shortly afterwards on 7 October 1953.
The Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966 divided the state and created Haryana. Chandigarh, located on the border, became the common capital of both states and was designated a union territory. The properties were divided in the ratio of 60:40, and Haryana was given temporary accommodation in the secretariat and assembly of Punjab, along with financial assistance to build its capital. This arrangement was for a short period, but Haryana has not built any new capital in the decades since.
On 29 January 1970, the Center announced that “the Capital Project area of ​​Chandigarh, as a whole, should be given to Punjab.” That decision did not take effect and the shared-capital arrangement continued. Punjab leaders often cite this history to argue that the state’s claim remains unresolved.
Why has the issue become controversial again?
The mention of the proposed amendment in the bulletin was enough to trigger a political reaction across Punjab as any change in the administrative structure of Chandigarh is closely linked to the state’s historical experience and long-standing expectations. For Punjab’s leadership, even the suggestion of a change in the system, especially one that might introduce an independent administrator, raises concerns about weakening its position in a city it has consistently considered its own.
The Center has now made it clear that it will not introduce any bills in the upcoming winter session and no decision will be taken without extensive deliberations.
Karishma Jain, Deputy Editor in Chief, News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a wide range of topics including Indian politics and policy, culture and arts, technology and social change. Follow him @kar…read more
Karishma Jain, Deputy Editor in Chief, News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a wide range of topics including Indian politics and policy, culture and arts, technology and social change. Follow him @kar… read more
November 24, 2025, 09:22 IST
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