The political temperature in Punjab rose on Tuesday after opposition parties strongly criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his remarks on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress accused Mann of diluting Punjab’s riparian rights and failing to protect the state’s long-standing position on sharing river waters.
The criticism came after Mann held a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and later addressed the media. During the interaction, Mann referred to Bhai Kanhaiya ji while speaking about water-sharing, a comment that triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders.
Both SAD and Congress leaders said the issue of SYL is not about charity or goodwill but about Punjab’s legal and constitutional rights over its rivers.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal strongly objected to Mann’s reference to Bhai Kanhaiya ji, calling it “outrageous and sacrilegious.” He said invoking a revered Sikh figure to justify sharing Punjab’s river water with other states, especially Haryana, was unacceptable.
In a post on social media, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Sikh history teaches both compassion and the importance of standing up for one’s rightful claims. He pointed out that while Bhai Kanhaiya ji is remembered for offering water to wounded soldiers as an act of humanity, that example should not be used to surrender Punjab’s lifeline.
Badal stressed that Punjab’s river waters are crucial for the state’s survival, agriculture, and future generations. He said the SYL issue is about riparian rights, which are protected under the Constitution and various legal frameworks, not about emotional or moral arguments.
The SAD chief demanded an apology from the chief minister, accusing him of distorting Sikh history and misleading people on a sensitive issue. He also warned that any weakening of Punjab’s stand on river waters could have long-term consequences for the state.
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The Congress party also launched a strong attack on Bhagwant Mann, with Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accusing the chief minister of exposing Punjab’s interests. Addressing a press conference, Bajwa said Mann’s remarks clearly showed his “ill intentions” regarding the SYL dispute.
Bajwa alleged that during the joint press conference with Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Mann failed to defend Punjab’s constitutional and legal position. He said there was no mention of international riparian laws or the legal safeguards that support Punjab’s claim over its river waters.
The Congress leader criticised Mann for what he called a sudden change in tone. He pointed out that the chief minister has often said that Punjab does not have even a single drop of extra water to share. However, according to Bajwa, this strong stand was missing when Mann spoke alongside the Haryana chief minister.
“This is not compassion. This is political betrayal,” Bajwa said, accusing Mann of trying to morally justify giving away Punjab’s water instead of standing firm on the state’s rights.
The SYL canal dispute has remained one of the most sensitive political and legal issues in Punjab and Haryana for decades. Punjab has consistently argued that it does not have surplus water and that its river waters are already fully used for drinking, farming, and industrial needs.
Punjab leaders have also maintained that as a riparian state, it has primary rights over its rivers. Several legal battles have been fought over the years, and the issue has reached the Supreme Court multiple times.
Opposition parties fear that any softening of Punjab’s stand could weaken the state’s case in ongoing and future legal proceedings. They argue that even symbolic statements made by the chief minister can be used politically or legally to question Punjab’s firm position.
With both the SAD and the Congress targeting Bhagwant Mann, the pressure on the chief minister has increased. Opposition leaders are demanding clarity on the government’s position and assurance that Punjab’s water rights will not be compromised.
They have also urged the state government to place its stand clearly on record and avoid making statements that could be interpreted as willingness to share water.
So far, the Punjab government has not issued a detailed response to the criticism. However, political observers say the controversy highlights how deeply emotional and politically charged the SYL issue remains in the state.
Beyond party politics, the debate reflects larger concerns about water scarcity, federal rights, and inter-state disputes in India. For Punjab, a state heavily dependent on agriculture, river water is not just a resource but a lifeline.
As the opposition continues to attack and demand accountability, the focus will remain on how the Mann government handles the SYL issue in the coming days. Any further statements or actions by the chief minister are likely to be closely watched by both political rivals and the public.
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