bku-rajewal-stages-protest-against-bbmb-over-water-sharing

Entering the ongoing dispute with BBMB, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), a farmers’ union headed by Balbir Singh Rajewal, held a protest outside the Chief Engineer’s office at Nangal Dam, objecting to the release of surplus water from Punjab’s quota to Haryana.

 

The union distanced itself from the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) ongoing agitation at Nangal Dam.

 

Rajewal said they had come to lodge their protest and emphasised that the matter would be taken up in the upcoming Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) meeting and announced that a larger agitation would be launched post-paddy season to safeguard Punjab’s water rights.

 

Rajewal also took a swipe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of attempting to divide farmer unions by criticising their lack of participation in the AAP-led protest against BBMB over Punjab’s water share.

 

He said the CM’s remarks were "unfortunate" and deflected from the government’s own failure to prevent the release of surplus water to Haryana over the past two years, accusing it of now merely politicising the issue.

 

The farmers’ union has consistently urged the state government to oppose the Dam Safety Act, arguing that it undermines Punjab’s interests.

 

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who has visited the protest site three times, maintains that the BBMB, under pressure from the Union Government, has attempted to release excess water to Haryana against Punjab's wishes. He further said he would not allow the BBMB to release water to Haryana from the state’s share.

 

Distancing itself from the AAP-led protest at Nangal Dam, BKU (Rajewal) activists held a separate demonstration outside the BBMB chief engineer’s office. The union’s leaders stated that farmer organisations across Punjab are preparing for a decisive movement to safeguard the state’s water rights.

 

Approximately 300 members of BKU (Rajewal) participated in the protest, raising slogans against both the Union Government and the BBMB.

 

Meanwhile, AAP workers continued their sit-in at Nangal Dam. AAP MLA from Ropar, Dinesh Chadda, joined the protest, blaming previous governments for Punjab’s loss of its rightful share in BBMB. The protest is being led by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

 

While the BKU protest unfolded at the BBMB office, AAP workers continued their sit-in at the Nangal dam. AAP MLA from Ropar, Dinesh Chadda, and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains participated in the protest, blaming previous governments for compromising Punjab’s water share.