Chandigarh was built as a planned city after the forcible displacement of several Punjabi villages. Conceived through the architectural imagination of Le Corbusier and projected as an emblem of modernism, the city has, since its inception, remained tied to the political and cultural aspirations of Punjab. As the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, its transfer to Punjab has been a long-standing and legitimate demand. This issue formed a core component of the injustices that the Punjab movement raised, and its resolution was once agreed upon in the Rajiv–Longowal Accord. Yet the Centre has repeatedly reneged on its commitments, deliberately keeping the issue unresolved for decades.
The Modi government’s current attempt to bring Chandigarh entirely under Union control places a final seal on this historic injustice. It also fits into the larger pattern of the present regime’s systematic centralisation of power and weakening of federal structures. From the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, its bifurcation into UTs to the enactment of the CAA–NRC, from repeated assaults on democratic institutions to the authoritarian push of the three Black Farm Laws, this government has consistently trampled upon people’s livelihood, states’ rights, regional aspirations, and the constitutional framework itself.
The people of Punjab have offered one of the most resolute and inspiring resistance to these authoritarian attacks. Whether in opposing the CAA–NRC, defending the autonomy of Punjab University’s senate, or leading the historic farmers’ movement, Punjab has repeatedly forced the Modi regime to retreat. This new attack on Chandigarh will undoubtedly evoke a similarly determined and wise response from the people. It’s noteworthy, that Punjab is one of the rare states where a joint front of farmers and workers organisations held a huge protest against the abrogation of article 370 from J & K back in 2019.
The CPI(ML) stands firmly with the people of Punjab in defending their democratic and constitutional rights. We call upon all progressive, democratic forces—across Punjab and throughout the country—to launch a united struggle against this latest authoritarian move. Defending Chandigarh’s rightful status is part of the broader struggle to defend federalism, democracy, and justice in India today.
(23 November, 2025)
