Nov 30, 2025 *A major controversy erupted after a Parliament bulletin listed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, for introduction in the Winter Session beginning 1 December 2025.*

 *A major controversy erupted after a Parliament bulletin listed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, for introduction in the Winter Session beginning 1 December 2025.*

The listing suggested that the Centre intended to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, a change that would allow the President to frame regulations for the Union Territory similar to other UTs without legislatures. Leaders across Punjab immediately objected, accusing the Centre of attempting to weaken the state’s historic position on Chandigarh. The Union Home Ministry later clarified that no such Bill would be introduced in the upcoming session. The exchange has revived long-standing tensions around Chandigarh’s constitutional status and why Punjab reacts sharply to any proposal affecting it. *What The Proposed Bill Would Have Done* The bulletin in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha mentioned the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025. The proposal sought to include Chandigarh under Article 240, a constitutional provision that empowers the President to make regulations for Union Territories that do not have their own legislatures, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. In the case of Puducherry, these powers apply when its Assembly is dissolved or suspended. If implemented, this change would allow the President to frame regulations for Chandigarh as well. It was widely viewed as opening the possibility of appointing an independent administrator, similar to a lieutenant governor, in place of the existing arrangement in which the Governor of Punjab serves as Chandigarh’s Administrator. A comparable attempt in 2016 was eventually withdrawn after opposition from leaders in Punjab. *How Chandigarh Is Governed Today?* Chandigarh is a Union Territory and has also served as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana since the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966. Before 1984, the city had an independent chief secretary. After that, the Punjab Governor took over as the Administrator, and a UT Adviser replaced the role of the chief secretary. This administrative structure has remained unchanged for decades and is central to Punjab’s understanding of its continuing role in the city. *What The Centre Has Clarified* Following the political backlash, the Home Ministry issued a detailed clarification on Sunday. It said, “A proposal to ease lawmaking for the UT is under consideration," but added that “no final decision has been made." The ministry said the proposal “does not affect Chandigarh’s administrative setup or its tied with Punjab or Haryana." In a statement, the ministry reiterated that the proposal was intended only to “simplify the Central Government’s law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh." It added that the proposal “in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh’s governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana." It stated that any decision would be taken only after “adequate consultations with all stakeholders." *Why Punjab Strongly Oppose?* Political parties across the spectrum in Punjab have rejected the proposal, arguing that it undermines the state’s established claim over Chandigarh. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the Centre was “conspiring to snatch" Punjab’s capital and stated, “Our villages were destroyed to build Chandigarh, and only Punjab has the right over it. We will not give up and take necessary steps." In another post, he said, “This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government against Punjab to succeed in any way. Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab’s villages, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary."1/2