A Watery Battle in Northern India
"Punjab and Haryana Alleges Violation of Rights" or "Rights Violation Charge Levied by Punjab and Haryana amidst Intensifying Water Dispute"
The tension over the distribution of water from the Bhakra dam between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan hit a boiling point this week. The political spat intensified after Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, accused the BJP-led central and Haryana governments of conspiring against Punjab by releasing water from the dam.
These three states share water requirements from the Bhakra and Pong dams, which are managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The BBMB determines the annual quota for water supply to these states for a cycle that runs from May 21 to May 21 every year.
The recent disagreement erupted after the BBMP decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, despite objections from the Punjab government officials who claimed that the neighboring state had already consumed its share of water. In a passionate post on social media, Mann accused the BJP of exploiting Punjab and its people and vowed not to tolerate any further "robbery" of their rights.
The BJP has been in power in both Haryana and at the center, and Punjab's finance minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, has accused them of hatching a conspiracy against the state. Cheema argued that Haryana had utilized more than its share of water, while Punjab had only used 89%.
This water crisis has led Punjab to bolster security measures around the Bhakra dam site and deploy police personnel and senior officers to prevent any unlawful activities. The state government has called for a meeting of all ministers and MLAs to discuss the issue. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which rules Punjab, has vowed not to release any more water to Haryana until the matter is resolved.
The political feud between Punjab and Haryana extends beyond the water dispute between the two states. In recent years, the contentious issue of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal has also exacerbated tensions between the two states.
In a rare appeal, Haryana's Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, urged Mann to avoid engaging in "dirty politics" and to take inspiration from gurus to find a peaceful solution to the issue. Saini emphasized the need for cooperation between the two states and urged Mann to prioritize the interests of Punjab and its people.
The ongoing water crisis in the region is a reflection of the complex inter-state issues surrounding resource distribution and the political alignments that can intensify tensions and impede cooperation.
- In Rajasthan, there's a growing opposition against the Mann government, stemming from the water dispute with Haryana and Punjab, especially regarding the Bhakra dam's water supply.
- The policy makers in 2025 should consider implementing a comprehensive water-sharing policy to avoid war-and-conflicts like the one erupting between Punjab and Haryana.
- General news outlets have reported an increase in car-accidents and crimes in the affected areas, stemming from the escalating animosity between Punjab and Haryana over the water distribution issue.
- The political standoff over the Bhakra and Pong dams has led to fires breaking out in fields and homes in Rajasthan, as water scarcity forces farmers to resort to distress measures.
- In an attempt to address the worsening water crisis, politics in the region have shifted towards focusing on trans-boundary concerns in the realm of policy-and-legislation.
- As the chief ministers of both states trade harsh words, the Governments of Punjab and Haryana must take immediate action to prevent accidents and crimes related to the escalating water crisis, ensuring justice and maintaining peace in the region.
