‘AAP equally responsible, creating tension between Punjab and Haryana': farmers slam decision to release more water
Farmers' unions across Punjab have condemned the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) decision to release additional water to Haryana, calling it coercive and politically motivated. Terming it an act of injustice against Punjab, they accused both the BJP-led Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of collusion in trying to divide people and deprive the state's farmers of their rightful share. The BBMB on Wednesday ordered the release of an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana.
Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta-Dakaunda (Dhaner faction) state president Manjeet Singh Dhaner said, 'The Centre and AAP are working hand-in-glove. This is not just water theft; it is a conspiracy to pit Punjabis and Haryanvis against each other.' He called the situation intolerable and accused both governments of betraying Punjab's interests. His union is a constituent of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).
Dhaner's remarks found support among other major farmer groups. Leaders from the Kirti Kisan Union, another constituent of SKM, said BBMB's decision ignores the urgent water needs of Punjab's farmers, who are preparing for the upcoming sowing season.
'Even on humanitarian grounds, Punjab is already releasing 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana. Demanding more, and BBMB agreeing to it, is nothing short of ignoring Punjab's rights and necessities,' said Kirti Kisan Union (KKU) president Nirbhay Singh Dhudike.
KKU general secretary Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala called the decision an 'assault' on Punjab's genuine needs. 'This cannot be justified by logic or fairness. It reflects the Centre's step-motherly treatment towards Punjab,' he added.
The union alleged that Haryana has already consumed its legitimate share, and any further release is unjustified and dangerous for Punjab's agriculture.'
The Kirti Kisan Union reiterated its long-standing demand for a permanent solution to the regional water crisis. It suggested that the Sharada-Yamuna Link Canal be built to redirect excess water from the Sharada River—a tributary of the Ganga—towards Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, reducing dependency on Punjab's resources.
Raminder Singh Patiala, press secretary of the KKU, said the Centre should utilise the otherwise wasted waters of the Ravi and Sharada rivers. 'A fair financial package for Punjab is also essential to promote crop diversification and ensure every household and field gets clean canal water,' he added.
Meanwhile, Gurdeep Singh Rampura, BKU Ekta-Dakaunda vice-president (Dhaner faction), claimed, 'Union leaders received phone calls from intelligence agencies asking them to issue public statements on the matter. This shows that the Punjab government is now trying to use farmers as a shield,' he said. He also criticised the government for accepting the Dam Safety Act and passing the Water Regulation Act despite opposition.
Rampura pointed out that people from villages like Akhara, Bhundri, Mushkabad, and Bagge Kalan have been facing police action for protesting against polluting factories. 'If the government truly cared about water, it should cancel the Dam Safety and Water Regulation Acts, stop polluting factories, and apologise to those who were suppressed for raising their voice,' he said.
Harnek Singh Mahima, the state general secretary of BKU Ekta-Dakaunda, noted that while the Punjab government restricts protesters from entering Chandigarh and uses force against them, it now seeks support from the same farmer unions. 'Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who boasts of 94 MLAs, should lead a dharna in Delhi over this issue himself,' he said.
Vice presidents of this union, Amandeep Singh Lalto and Harish Nadda, emphasised that the situation would not have arisen if the Dam Safety Act had been repealed earlier. They called for the resolution of water issues based on international norms and the Indian Constitution and vowed to resist exploitation without becoming tools of the government.
The unions warned that depleting groundwater in northwestern India makes canal water essential, and any forced diversion from Punjab would have serious ecological and economic consequences. They urged the Centre to abandon divisive policies and hold talks on constructing the Sharada-Yamuna Link Canal.
'The public must remain united and resist this injustice. When governments have no answers, they try to divide people. We will not let that happen,' a union leader said.
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