Farmers’ Union Protests BBMB Over Extra Water Release to Haryana
Nangal, May 12: The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) has intensified its opposition to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) over the alleged release of excess water to Haryana from Punjab’s quota. On Monday, BKU (Rajewal), led by its president Balbir Singh Rajewal, staged a dharna outside the office of the Chief Engineer at Nangal Dam, demanding accountability and action.
“We are here to protest the injustice being done to Punjab,” said Rajewal. “The matter will be taken up in the upcoming meeting of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), and a larger agitation will be launched after the paddy season to protect Punjab’s water rights.”
Rajewal criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for blaming farmer unions for not supporting his stance against the BBMB. “It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister is trying to divide farmer unions over such a critical issue,” he stated, further accusing the Punjab government of failing to resist the release of excess water to Haryana over the past two years.
The farmers’ union has also been urging the state to oppose the Dam Safety Act, which they believe undermines Punjab’s interests. Despite a parallel protest by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers at the Nangal Dam, BKU (Rajewal) members held a separate demonstration outside the BBMB office, avoiding any joint participation.
Around 300 BKU (Rajewal) activists participated in the protest, raising slogans against the Union Government and BBMB authorities. Farmer leaders vowed to continue their struggle, warning of a decisive battle in the near future over Punjab’s water resources.
Meanwhile, AAP workers maintained their ongoing dharna at the dam site, with Ropar MLA Dinesh Chadda joining the protest. Chadda blamed previous governments for the erosion of Punjab’s water share. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has been leading the AAP protest, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has visited the site thrice.
CM Mann reiterated his commitment not to allow BBMB to release Punjab’s water to Haryana, accusing the central government of pressuring BBMB officials into repeated attempts to do so despite Punjab’s objections.
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