Chandigarh, May 1, 2025
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) strongly opposed the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) decision to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of Punjab’s water to Haryana. AAP MP Kang said that this decision, taken under pressure from the BJP-led Central Government, is unconstitutional and an outright assault on Punjab’s rights.
AAP MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, has called this move a grave injustice that jeopardizes Punjab’s farmers, its water security, and the state’s future generations. In a letter to BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, Kang lambasted the BJP government for orchestrating this “daylight robbery” of Punjab’s rightful resources while accusing Bittu of maintaining a shameful silence on the matter.
“The BBMB decision is not just an administrative order—it is a direct attack on Punjab’s lifeline. Despite the fact that Haryana has already overdrawn its share of water, BJP has forced BBMB to hand over Punjab’s precious water to Haryana, leaving our farmers and citizens at risk of severe water scarcity. This is an insult to Punjab’s 3.5 crore people,” said Kang.
The BBMB annually distributes water between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan from May 21 to the following May 20. However, Kang revealed that Haryana, after exhausting its full share by March 31, 2025, demanded an additional 4,000 cusecs daily from Punjab. Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, allowed this on humanitarian grounds to meet Haryana’s basic drinking water needs. However, BJP has now arm-twisted BBMB into granting Haryana an additional 8,500 cusecs—an action that AAP calls unlawful and unacceptable.
“Our reservoirs—Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams—are already at dangerously low levels. With groundwater levels depleting across the state, every drop of water is vital for Punjab’s farmers. Yet, BJP is sacrificing Punjab’s needs to appease Haryana. This is nothing short of bulldozing Punjab’s rights,” Kang stated.
Kang expressed disappointment at BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu’s silence, accusing him of prioritizing his party’s political alliances over Punjab’s welfare. “Bittu’s inaction raises serious questions about whether he stands with Punjab or has surrendered to BJP’s unconstitutional diktats. The people of Punjab deserve answers,” Kang asserted.
AAP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has taken a firm stand to expose BJP’s unconstitutional actions. Highlighting Haryana CM’s misleading statements that Punjab had agreed to this water diversion, the AAP government clarified that Haryana has already consumed 103% of its allocated share while Punjab has used only 89%. Despite this, Punjab extended support to Haryana, but BJP’s latest decision crossed all limits.
Kang reiterated that Punjab’s farmers and people will not tolerate this injustice. “Punjab’s history is filled with struggles to protect its resources and rights. Today, we face a similar challenge. AAP and the people of Punjab will resist BJP’s blatant disregard for Punjab’s welfare,” he affirmed.
In his letter to Bittu, Kang posed some serious questions to Bittu, “Are you with Punjab, or complicit in the BJP’s exploitation of the state’s resources? Why haven’t you raised the issue of BBMB’s illegal decisions in Parliament? Why are you silent on the alarming depletion of water levels in Punjab’s dams? Your inability to address these pressing questions raises serious doubts about your commitment to Punjab’s rights. The youth, intellectuals, and people from all walks of life are closely observing this anti-Punjab stance. It is time for you to either stand firmly for Punjab’s interests or relinquish the position you hold, which was secured in Punjab’s name but appears to serve BJP’s agenda.”
AAP demands immediate reversal of BBMB’s decision and calls on all political parties in Punjab to unite and defend the state’s interests. The party also urges BJP leaders like Ravneet Singh Bittu to take a clear stand and oppose this unconstitutional decision in Parliament.
Taking to social media, Kang wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “The @BJP4India-led Central Government has crossed all limits by forcing BBMB to release 8,500 cusecs of Punjab’s water to Haryana. This is nothing short of an unconstitutional act of daylight robbery.”
Kang assured the people of Punjab that the AAP Government will continue to fight for their rights and protect the state’s resources. Kang concluded that Punjab’s future cannot and will not be compromised for political gains.
