In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana, the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in Punjab has launched a multi-pronged counteroffensive against what it calls the “arbitrary and illegal” move by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, despite Punjab’s strong opposition.
The decision, taken at a late-night technical meeting of BBMB on Wednesday, has triggered a political and administrative storm in Punjab, prompting the State Government to convene an all-party meeting on Friday at 10 am, followed by a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday.
Amid rising tensions, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired an emergency meeting of all Cabinet Ministers and party MLAs, where it was resolved to take the strongest possible stand against the BBMB’s “undemocratic diktat”. Mann, who personally led a dharna at the Nangal Dam also on Thursday, declared, “We will not tolerate another robbery of our rights by the BJP at any cost.”
As a mark of defiance and to prevent any unauthorized release of water, the Punjab Government intensified security at the Nangal Dam, with Punjab Police taking charge of the dam’s control room and sealing off access to the site.
Simultaneously, the state’s Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced that Punjab is exploring all legal avenues to challenge the BBMB’s decision. “This is a blatant attempt to undermine Punjab’s rights. We are not going to let this go unchallenged,” Goyal said, confirming that the state has initiated legal consultations to block the water release.
The crisis has already led to administrative upheaval, with key BBMB officers being abruptly transferred — including the removal of Punjab cadre’s Director (Water Regulation) Akashdeep Singh and Haryana cadre’s Board Secretary Surinder Mittal, allegedly for resisting the water release.
The situation reached a flashpoint after BBMB, in a five-hour-long meeting of its technical committee on late Wednesday night, decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana — a move opposed by Punjab representatives, who pointed out that Haryana had already utilized 103 percent of its allocated share by March 2025. Officials from BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan and Delhi reportedly sided with Haryana during the vote, enabling the motion to pass despite Punjab’s dissent.
Punjab, which holds a 60 percent stake in BBMB, was neither consulted adequately nor did it sign off on the final resolution, Mann asserted. “This decision is not just arbitrary, but dictatorial. It violates all federal norms and constitutional propriety. BBMB cannot function by ignoring Punjab’s stake and voice,” he said, warning the Centre and BJP-ruled states of “dangerous consequences” if such repression continues.
On the ground, a massive security cordon has been thrown around the Bhakra Dam complex. Ropar Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, along with a large police contingent, visited the dam on Thursday to review the security arrangements. “This is to ensure no one tampers with Punjab’s water assets. We are here to protect our rights, not provoke conflict,” said Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who led a protest at Ropar’s Bela Chowk, invoking the “secure your own oxygen mask first” analogy to emphasize Punjab’s dire need for water.
The political temperature soared as AAP cadres launched statewide protests against what they called “Delhi-driven bullying”. Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were burnt in Ropar, and slogans condemning the BBMB’s actions echoed across protest sites.
Transfers Rock BBMB
In a significant administrative shake-up following BBMB’s decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, the Director (Water Regulation) at Nangal, Akashdeep Singh, has been transferred. Singh, a Punjab cadre officer, has been replaced by Haryana cadre Director, Sanjeev Kumar, raising questions over the transparency and intent behind the decision.
Sources indicated that Singh had been insisting on an official indent from Punjab before releasing water to Haryana, as stipulated in the Regulation Manual. However, following BBMB’s order, Singh’s transfer appeared to be part of a “strategy” to facilitate the controversial water release to Haryana, which the Punjab Government has vehemently opposed.
Interestingly, while BBMB cited Singh's transfer as being at his own request, the officer has formally denied making any such request by sending a late night e-mail. The shift has sparked criticism within Punjab, with officials accusing BBMB of trying to override Punjab’s resistance by installing officers loyal to Haryana’s interests. The Punjab Government has demanded the immediate revocation of the transfer, with the state’s Chief Engineer writing to BBMB chairman highlighting that Sanjeev Kumar lacks experience in water regulation.
In a further administrative shake-up, BBMB Secretary Surinder Mittal, also from Haryana, was relieved of his duties for his role in pushing through the water release order. Punjab’s Balbir Singh has now been given additional responsibilities as BBMB Secretary and Director (Security), while Rajiv Saini has been appointed OSD (Technical) to the BBMB chairman.
“These backdoor administrative reshuffles are a clear attempt to override Punjab’s resistance by planting pliant officers,” a senior Punjab official said while talking with The Pioneer. He noted that Akashdeep Singh has now formally denied having requested a transfer — contradicting BBMB’s claim.
All-Party Unity in Punjab's Defence
In a rare show of political solidarity, all major parties in Punjab have been invited to Friday’s all-party meeting at Punjab Bhawan against the Union Government’s “unfair and repressive” actions.
“This is a matter of life and death for our state. We must stand united,” Mann appealed. The meeting is expected to chart a joint course of action ahead of Monday’s special Vidhan Sabha session, where a resolution defending Punjab’s water rights will be tabled.
“There is no question of compromise. We will fight this on legal, political and public fronts,” Mann reiterated. The AAP government hoped that a strong, unified front from Punjab will force the Centre to reconsider its strategy and restrain BBMB from executing what Mann described as a “flawed, one-sided” order.
Taking strong exception to what he called the usurping of Punjab’s rights, Mann declared that Punjabis have an inalienable right over every drop of river water—“and no one can snatch it”.
Calling for unity, Mann urged all political parties to rise above partisan lines and stand together in this critical fight. “This is not a political issue; it is a question of Punjab’s existence. We must vehemently resist this unjust move,” he said.
Describing the Union Government’s actions as undemocratic and oppressive, Mann sought wholehearted support from all parties, asserting that the battle for Punjab’s water is a battle for justice, federalism, and the future of its people.
“The decisions to convene all party meeting and special session will make it clear who all are standing with the state on water issue, and who are not…We have been giving water to Haryana more than its requirement…BBMB’s this decision is unacceptable,” Cabinet Minister and AAP’s Punjab unit president Aman Arora said after the meeting, which was also attended by AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
CM says, “Punjab Has No Surplus Water; This is Loot”
Visiting the Nangal Dam on Thursday, CM Mann made an impassioned appeal to the people and parties of Punjab to rise above political divisions. “Punjab is already in the grip of a water crisis. The levels at Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams are alarmingly low — 12 to 32 feet below the previous year’s levels. How can we give what we don’t have?” he said, emphasizing that paddy sowing season was about to begin and farmers were already staring at water scarcity.
Mann warned that any further pressure from the Centre or Haryana would be met with mass resistance. “Let me remind the BJP — without Punjab’s water, there will be no rice for the Public Distribution System. Do not push us to the edge. If you think you can steal Punjab’s water, think again,” he said.
He also accused the Centre of colluding with BJP-ruled Haryana and Rajasthan to rob Punjab. “Haryana used up its water quota in March itself. Now they want more. This is nothing short of institutionalized loot,” he said. Mann proposed that the Union Government instead consider abrogating the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and divert waters of rivers like Chenab and Jhelum to meet India’s growing needs.
Making a stern statement against the BBMB, Punjab Chief Minister Mann asserted that the Board has “no right” to release water to Haryana by ignoring Punjab. Mann, speaking to media persons during Nangal visit, emphasized that Punjab, already grappling with its own water scarcity, cannot afford to share any surplus water with neighbouring states.
“The state has no surplus water to share, and the BBMB cannot dictate terms to Punjab,” said Mann, strongly opposing the Board's decision to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. He pointed out that Haryana had already utilized 16,000 cusecs of water in excess of its allocated share, while the Rajasthan and Haryana governments have joined forces to demand even more from Punjab.
Mann made it clear that Punjab holds a 60 percent share in the BBMB, and its rights cannot be disregarded. “BBMB has no right to release water by ignoring Punjab’s interests. This will not be tolerated at any cost,” he said. Highlighting the importance of safeguarding the state’s water resources, Mann likened his role to that of a farmer protecting his share of water. “I am here to ensure that no one robs Punjab of its water,” he said.
Chief Minister also called for a shift in the Union Government’s focus, urging the diversion of surplus water from rivers such as Chenab, Jhelum, and Ujh to Punjab after reconsidering the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. “This water could be used to cater to the needs of the entire northern region, especially before the paddy season,” he suggested.
Mann also highlighted the ongoing water crisis in Punjab, where groundwater levels are receding rapidly. With dam levels at all-time lows — 32 feet at Pong Dam, 12 feet at Bhakra Dam, and 14 feet at Ranjit Sagar Dam, Mann emphasized that every drop of water in the state is vital and cannot be shared.
At the same time, Mann also criticized BJP leaders, including Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, for remaining silent on the issue. “This is the time for these leaders to prove their loyalty to Punjab,” he said, urging them to either raise their voices against the injustice or join the state government in defending Punjab’s water rights.
· All-party meeting at 10 am today
· Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Special Session on Monday, Resolution on water to be tabled
· Legal consultations underway
· Security heightened at Nangal Dam