Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a strong show of dissent, several Punjab Cabinet ministers, along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and leaders, joined the ongoing protest at Nangal Dam on Tuesday against the diversion of Punjab’s water to other states. The protest, which includes a day-and-night vigil, is aimed at the BJP-led central and state governments as well as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), demanding an immediate halt to the release of water from Punjab.
Cabinet ministers Barinder Kumar Goyal, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and Laljit Singh Bhullar addressed the gathering and reiterated the state’s firm stand on protecting its water rights.
Water Resources and Land Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal stated that no additional water would be supplied to Haryana until May 21, when the “apointee season” ends. He emphasized that Punjab is already releasing 4,000 cusecs of water beyond its allocated share as a humanitarian gesture. “Despite repeated warnings, Haryana has not utilized this water judiciously. Moreover, Punjab even agreed to supply water for security forces in Rajasthan, reflecting the state’s values of generosity and cooperation,” he said.
Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO unveiled a ₹4,500 crore plan to supply canal water to farmlands in Punjab. The initiative aims to reduce dependency on over 15 lakh tubewells, decrease power consumption, and mitigate the alarming depletion of groundwater—exacerbated by the water outflow to other states.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak confirmed that the protests at both Nangal Dam and Lohand Khad Gate near Kiratpur Sahib would persist. “Punjab has gone above and beyond its fair share of water contributions. We will not compromise further on our rights,” he asserted.
Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar highlighted the environmental and economic toll Punjab has paid while feeding the nation. He lauded the efforts of farmers in embracing crop diversification and called for a stronger shift towards canal-based irrigation to enhance agricultural sustainability.
The protest reflects growing public and political resistance in Punjab against the ongoing diversion of its water resources.
