Centre’s clarification on Chandigarh Bill a ‘tactical retreat’ before Punjab's wrath; Article 240 ‘backdoor conspiracy’ unacceptable - Brahmpura

Invoking Article 240 means bypassing Parliament to impose ‘President’s Rule’ in Chandigarh; this is not ‘simplification’ but ‘annexation’ - Brahmpura 

Tarn Taran/Chandigarh, November 23, 2025: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Vice President and former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura on Sunday termed the Union Home Ministry’s latest clarification regarding the Chandigarh Bill as a "preliminary victory of Punjab's unity but a looming warning bell."

Reacting to the Centre's statement, Brahmpura said the admission that "no final decision has been taken" proves the Union Government was merely "testing the waters." However, he asserted that the fierce opposition raised under the leadership of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal has forced the Centre to step back.

In a press statement issued here, Brahmpura exposed what he termed the Centre’s "technical trickery." He stated, "The Union Government is misleading the public by claiming that bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution is merely to ‘simplify’ the law-making process. I appeal to Punjabis to wake up! Article 240 is not a tool for simplification, but for dictatorship."

Explaining the legal implications, the senior Akali leader warned, "Once this Article is invoked, the power to make laws for Chandigarh will be snatched from the Parliament and transferred directly to the President—effectively the Union Cabinet. This will allow the Centre to impose any ‘black law’ on Chandigarh overnight without any parliamentary debate. We will never allow this ‘backdoor entry’ to succeed in Punjab’s capital."

Brahmpura further criticized the Home Ministry's assurance that "all stakeholders will be consulted," calling it a deception. "Chandigarh has only one stakeholder, and that is Punjab," he asserted. He demanded that instead of issuing clarifications, the Centre must immediately withdraw the 'Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025' from the Lok Sabha bulletin with immediate effect.

Brahmpura categorically stated that the Shiromani Akali Dal would not sit silently until the Bill is cancelled in writing. He appealed to the people of Punjab to view the Centre's "U-turn" as a sign of their collective strength but warned against complacency, alleging that "Delhi's intent remains flawed."