Partap Singh Bajwa Criticises Chief Minister Mann on SYL Canal Rights and Water Issues

Partap Singh Bajwa has condemned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not defending Punjab's water rights during discussions on the SYL canal issue. He highlighted the state's environmental challenges and lack of surplus water.

Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not defending Punjab's rights over its water resources. This criticism followed a meeting between Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, where they discussed the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. During a joint press briefing, Mann referred to Haryana as Punjab's brother, not an adversary.

Bajwa expressed disappointment with Mann's approach, stating, "Once again, the chief minister failed to defend Punjab's riparian rights. There was not a single word on constitutional safeguards, not a word on established principles of riparian law. And suddenly, his favourite line 'Punjab ke paas ik boond pani vi nahi' (Punjab does not have a single drop of water) vanished into thin air."

Riparian Rights and Environmental Concerns

Bajwa highlighted that Punjab is an environmentally fragile state with no surplus water to share. He questioned why Mann prioritised appearances over obligations and seemed to favour Haryana's perspective over Punjab's survival. "The facts are clear, the law is clear, and Punjab's position is clear. What is unclear is why the chief minister chose optics over obligation and Haryana's narrative over Punjab's survival," Bajwa stated.

He further accused Mann of neglecting his duties, saying it was not ignorance but a deliberate choice. Bajwa remarked that when Punjab's lifeline was at risk, Mann opted for symbolism rather than taking substantial action. "This is not ignorance; this is willful abdication. This is not incompetence; this is backstabbing," said Bajwa.

Historical References and Controversy

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also criticised Mann for allegedly misrepresenting Sikh history to justify sharing Punjab's river waters with other states. Badal found it outrageous and sacrilegious to compare the situation to Bhai Kanhaiya's acts of charity. "It is one thing to offer water to the dying as an act of charity and compassion as Bhai Kanhaiya ji did, and quite another to surrender Punjab's lifeline, the river waters," Badal commented on X.

Badal demanded an apology from Mann for allegedly distorting Sikh history. He emphasised that the issue concerns Punjab's riparian rights rather than charity. "This is about Punjab's riparian rights, not charity," he insisted.

Brotherhood Over Conflict

After the meeting with Saini, Mann reiterated that Haryana is not an enemy but a brother. He referenced Bhai Kanhaiya ji, who served water indiscriminately during a battle in Anandpur Sahib. "As the CM Saini saab said that Guru’s bani is guiding us. We are the descendants of Bhai Kanhaiya ji who gave water even to enemies in the war. Haryana is not our enemy; it is our brother," Mann stated.

Bhai Kanhaiya was a follower of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh master. He carried a leather pouch filled with water during battles and offered it to all wounded individuals without discrimination.

The ongoing debate over water rights highlights tensions between Punjab and Haryana. The discussions around the SYL canal remain contentious, with leaders expressing differing views on how best to address these issues while respecting historical and environmental considerations.

With inputs from PTI