Punjab’s Waters Under Threat? CM Mann Rallies Support Against BBMB and BJP
In a fiery and impassioned address near the Bhakra Dam, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann issued a strong warning to the BJP-led central government and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), accusing them of attempting to rob Punjab of its rightful share of water. As border tensions with Pakistan keep the state on high alert, Mann called the central move not just unfair but “a betrayal during a time of national crisis.”
“Every Punjabi Will Resist This Sinister Plan”
ਅੱਜ ਫ਼ਿਰ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਦੀ ਬੀਜੇਪੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਿਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਭਾਖੜਾ ਬਿਆਸ ਮੈਨੇਜਮੈਂਟ ਬੋਰਡ ਦੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਨੰਗਲ ਡੈਮ ਤੋਂ ਜ਼ਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਛੱਡਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ।
ਇੱਕ ਪਾਸੇ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਸਰਹੱਦਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਲਈ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਡਟਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉੱਥੇ ਹੀ ਦੂਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ BBMB ਦੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਅਜਿਹੀਆਂ ਘਟੀਆ… pic.twitter.com/Xz9wXXY86R
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 11, 2025
Standing in protest at Nangal, CM Mann minced no words, calling the Centre’s decision to allegedly bypass Punjab’s interests and release water through BBMB a deliberate act of injustice. “On one side, our soldiers and Punjab Police are defending 532 kilometers of border with Pakistan, and on the other, the BJP is using BBMB to drain our lifeline. It’s both shameful and sinister,” said Mann.
The Chief Minister warned that if BBMB officials attempted to release water without the state’s consent, they would do so “at their own risk,” implying strong resistance from the people of Punjab.
A Caution Against Escalation
Mann cautioned that the central government and BBMB would be solely responsible for any potential law and order situation that might arise due to this conflict. “There is no High Court order demanding this water release. The BJP is acting illegally and provocatively,” he said.
The CM pointed to recent demands from Rajasthan, which had requested additional water, supposedly for military operations near the border. “When it comes to national interest, Punjab never backs down. That’s why we cooperated. But now, attempts are being made to turn this into a permanent pipeline to drain us dry,” he added.
Snub to Kisan Unions & A Call for Unity
In a surprising and sharp rebuke, Mann criticized several farmer unions for remaining silent on the issue. “Where are the so-called defenders of Punjab’s land and rights? Why no protest from them now?” he asked, accusing them of selective activism.
Mann said that the Punjab government is fully capable of fighting this battle on its own and would not rely on unions that, in his words, only protest when it is “convenient or comfortable.”
Demand to Reconstitute BBMB
Calling the BBMB obsolete and politically compromised, Mann demanded its complete reconstitution. “This board, once set up to manage river waters fairly, is now a political tool used by the Centre to deprive Punjab. Even their legal battles against Punjab are funded by our taxpayers’ money,” he said, announcing plans to audit the BBMB’s use of public funds.
He also called it unacceptable that officers from other states are working in Punjab but serving agendas that go against the state’s interests.
“Not a Drop to Spare” – Groundwater Crisis Looms
The Chief Minister emphasized the dire water situation in Punjab. “Our blocks are over-exploited, rivers are drying, and groundwater is nearing crisis. We have no extra water to give away—even a drop matters,” he stated.
Asserting Punjab’s right to protect its own interests, Mann warned, “Whether it’s BJP or BBMB, no one will be allowed to take our water. We are farmers, we are soldiers—if we can protect the border, we can protect our fields too.”
What’s Next?
Bhagwant Mann pledged to sit at Nangal and vigilantly monitor every move by the Centre and BBMB. “We will not allow them to succeed. The unity, sovereignty, and dignity of Punjab are not for sale,” he concluded.
He was joined at the protest site by Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and other senior leaders.