AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal Slams Centre’s Proposed 131st Constitutional Amendment, Calls It a ‘Direct Attack on Punjab’s Identity’

Delhi: In a sharp political confrontation ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lashed out at the Union government over its proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which seeks to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 — a move he alleged would “dilute Punjab’s rights” over the shared Union Territory.

Kejriwal, in a strongly worded post on X, alleged that the central government was attempting to “rewrite the constitutional balance” by placing Chandigarh in the same administrative bracket as Union Territories without legislatures such as Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Calling the move “dangerous for Indian federalism,” he wrote, “This is not an ordinary amendment but a direct assault on Punjab’s constitutional rights. The Centre wants to weaken Punjab’s historical claim over Chandigarh. Such attempts to tear apart the federal structure are extremely worrying.”

The AAP chief emphasised that Chandigarh has always been intrinsically linked to Punjab’s cultural and administrative identity since its creation. He added that any attempt to reduce Punjab’s administrative say over the city is tantamount to “hurting the soul of Punjab.”

He further asserted, “Punjab has always given its blood, water and food to the nation. Yet today, it is being denied its own rightful share. Punjabis have never bowed before any authoritarian approach, and they will not bow now. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain Punjab’s.”

The proposed Bill aims to extend the President’s regulatory powers under Article 240 to Chandigarh, sparking political speculation that such a change may further centralise control over the Union Territory — potentially diminishing Punjab’s leverage.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also opposed the proposal on Saturday, arguing that the amendment undermines Punjab’s long-standing administrative rights and could alter the delicate balance between Punjab and Haryana regarding Chandigarh’s governance.