Ludhiana witnessed a dramatic standoff on Tuesday as more than hundred activists were detained in a bid to prevent protests against the pollution of Buddha Nallah. The city turned into a heavily guarded zone, with police fortifying major entry points as the activists, including women, farmer leaders, social activists, among others, from the Kale Pani da Morcha (KPDM) had converged arpund the dyeing units to demand an end to effluent discharge into the highly polluted waterway, which they claim endangers the health of communities in Punjab and Rajasthan.
Attempting to control the situation, the police used jammers to disrupt mobile networks in protest zones.
The Morcha’s call to action was spurred by alleged inaction from the Punjab Government despite repeated appeals. Hundreds of protestors, including notable activists like Bharti Kisan Union head Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr Amandeep Singh Bains, and social activist Lakha Sidhana, took to the streets.
The police preemptively detained prominent leaders and activists, including Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh, and farmer leader Sukhjinder Rajan, to prevent the protests from escalating. SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was also detained and house arrested by Fatehgarh Sahib Police as he was supposed to participate in the Morcha. Mann lashed out at the police and termed it “a murder of democracy”.
Clashes broke out near Punjab Agricultural University and Tajpur road, where dyeing industry workers gathered to counter the activists. Despite barricades and heavy police deployment, some protesters managed to reach the nallah, staging symbolic acts like throwing mud into its polluted waters.
The core of the conflict lies in the KPDM’s accusation that untreated industrial effluents from dyeing units are being discharged into Buddha Nallah, a tributary of the Sutlej River. Activists argued that the contamination affects drinking water supplies downstream, especially in Rajasthan, causing severe health problems. KPDM leader Jaskirat Singh criticized the government for siding with polluting industries and turning a blind eye to the issue, saying, “We are fighting for clean water, but the government supports polluters.”
Tensions Escalate Between Protesters and Industries
The situation grew tense at Tajpur road — a hotspot for the protest, where members of the Punjab Dyers’ Association (PDA) labeled activists as “blackmailers” and accused them of ignoring municipal and dairy-related pollutants. Over 225 dyeing units shut operations, with thousands of workers rallying to oppose the protestors. PDA general secretary Bobby Jindal defended the industry, asserting that significant investments had been made in Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) to address pollution. “We are job creators, not criminals. This harassment must end,” Jindal said, accusing the State Government of failing to address systemic pollution. Despite police intervention, KPDM activists blocked the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway, causing significant disruption. Skirmishes broke out between police and protesters, resulting in minor injuries. Protesters alleged that their peaceful movement was met with excessive force, while the police justified preventive detentions as a means to avoid lawlessness.
Environmental and Political Implications
The polluted Buddha Nallah has long been a contentious issue. It serves as a critical drainage system in Ludhiana but has become a toxic conduit carrying untreated industrial and municipal waste into the Sutlej River. The downstream impact has been severe, with Rajasthan repeatedly raising concerns about contaminated water entering its canals. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and former leaders Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot have previously highlighted the issue, urging Punjab to take corrective measures. Environmental experts warn that the continued pollution of Buddha Nallah poses grave health risks and threatens aquatic biodiversity. Activists are calling for stringent action against polluters and improved monitoring of effluent discharge. “It’s not just about one state; this is an inter-state ecological crisis,” said KPDM member Navneet Bhullar.
Govt Under Scrutiny
AAP-led Punjab Government faces criticism for its perceived inaction and its handling of the protests. While Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal defended the force’s actions, stating that public safety is paramount, the protesters argued that their demands for clean water have been ignored for too long.
Protest Ends: Admn Seeks 7 Days to Act
The long-standing protest against pollution in Budha Nallah finally come to an end in the evening, with the Administration requesting seven days to address the grievances and demands of the protesters. During discussions, reportedly, an agreement was reached to shut down the three Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), which were identified as significant contributors to the pollution in the Nallah. Meanwhile, all detained activists were released, including Lakha Sidhana, whose presence had galvanized the protest. However, the KPDM warned of intensifying its movement if tangible actions were not taken.
