The Centre’s The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 has become the hottest topic of discussion amid strong possibilities that Punjab’s last remaining claim over Chandigarh will end after the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
SNPNEWS.IN Report (Gurmail Kamboj): During the Winter Session of Parliament scheduled from 1 to 19 December 2025, the Central Government will introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025. This bill is primarily aimed at changing the administrative status of Chandigarh and is being seen as a move that will trigger massive political controversy in Punjab.
The main objective of this bill is to bring the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Indian Constitution.(Article 240 empowers the President to make regulations and directly administer certain Union Territories.)
As a result, Chandigarh could get its own Lieutenant Governor (L-G) completely separate from the Punjab Governor.
Currently, the administration of Chandigarh is handled by the Governor of Punjab, which keeps Punjab administratively linked to the city.
The Centre claims that the bill is needed to bring Chandigarh at par (“equality”) with other Union Territories and to make it easier to implement central laws.
After this change, Chandigarh will become exactly like other UTs such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu – where the President can directly make regulations that have the same force as Acts of Parliament. This decision can also override or alter certain laws currently applicable from Punjab.
At present, the eight Union Territories under the Central Government are:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.Out of these, Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir have their own (limited-power) Legislative Assemblies. Chandigarh’s administration currently falls under the Punjab Governor.
Why Chandigarh Still Remains a Dispute – The Unfulfilled Rajiv-Longowal Accord
Chandigarh became the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Centre had promised that after some time Chandigarh would be handed over to Punjab, but that promise remains unfulfilled even today.
Under the Rajiv-Longowal Accord of 24 July 1985, Chandigarh was to be transferred to Punjab on 26 January 1986 in exchange for territory swap:
● Punjab was to give Haryana Hindi-speaking areas (mainly Abohar-Fazilka region of Ferozepur district – approx. 45,000 acres) that had gone to Haryana in 1966.
● In return, Haryana was to give Punjab Punjabi-speaking villages from Ambala, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts (areas like Khanouri, Ratia, Guhla-Cheeka, Tohana etc. – approx. 70,000 acres).
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A neutral Mattu Commission was constituted in 1985 to identify and execute this exchange fairly. The commission submitted its report, but the then Haryana government (led by Bhajan Lal refused to accept it. As a result, the accord could never be implemented, and Chandigarh continues to remain a bone of contention between Punjab and Haryana even today.
What Will Happen if the Bill is Passed?
Once the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 (already cleared by the Cabinet) is passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and receives Presidential assent:
● Punjab’s administrative and political control over Chandigarh will end completely.
● Issues like Panjab University, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), and SYL canal may also get directly affected.
Punjab’s United Opposition to the Bill
CM Bhagwant Mann (AAP): “This is a conspiracy against Punjab. Chandigarh is the soul of Punjab and will always remain so. We will defeat this move.”
AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney has sought time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah and demanded withdrawal of the bill.
Congress: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Partap Singh Bajwa and others called it “an attack to snatch Chandigarh and a blow to history, federalism and Punjab’s rights”.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – Sukhbir Singh Badal: “This is betrayal and discrimination with Punjab. It breaks the promises made in 1966. We will oppose this decision at every level.”
AAP MP Malwinder Kang (Anandpur Sahib): “Robbery of rights in broad daylight. All Punjab-loving parties must unite and defeat this BJP government’s decision in the Winter Session.”
This bill poses a massive challenge for Punjab — one that threatens not just Chandigarh but the constitutional rights of the entire state.