Opposition Condemns Bhagwant Mann's Bhai Kanhaiya Reference in SYL Water Controversy
In a heated political confrontation, opposition parties in Punjab have launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of distorting Sikh history to rationalize the contentious issue of water sharing with Haryana. The controversy erupted after Mann invoked the legacy of Bhai Kanhaiya, a revered Sikh figure, during a joint media briefing with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on the SYL canal dispute.
Mann's Analogy Sparks Outrage
Addressing the press in Chandigarh on Tuesday, Mann stated, "We are the descendants of Bhai Kanhaiya ji who gave water even to enemies in the war. Haryana is not our enemy, it is our brother." This remark drew immediate backlash from political rivals, who labeled it a misuse of spiritual symbolism to mask what they perceive as a surrender of Punjab's water rights.
Bhai Kanhaiya, a disciple of Guru Teg Bahadur, is celebrated in Sikh tradition for carrying a 'mashk' (leather pouch filled with water) during battles in Anandpur Sahib and providing aid to wounded soldiers on both sides, embodying principles of compassion and selfless service.
Opposition Leaders Demand Apology and Action
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, vehemently criticized Mann, asserting that the chief minister failed to defend the state's riparian rights. "He invoked Bhai Kanhaiya Ji to morally whitewash the surrender of Punjab's water. This isn't compassion—it's political betrayal," Bajwa declared. He emphasized that Punjab, as an over-exploited and environmentally fragile state, lacks surplus water to share, calling for adherence to constitutional and international riparian laws.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal joined the chorus, terming Mann's comments "outrageous and sacrilegious." In a post on social media, Badal clarified, "It is one thing to offer water to the dying as an act of charity and compassion as Bhai Kanhaiya ji did, and quite another to surrender Punjab's lifeline, the river waters." He demanded an apology from Mann and highlighted that the previous Badal government had permanently settled the SYL issue by denotifying the canal.
Congress Voices Concern Over Sikh Sentiments
Congress MLA Pargat Singh expressed that Mann's remarks have wounded the collective conscience of the Sikh community. He described the trivialization of Bhai Kanhaiya's legacy as a profound affront to Sikh spiritual ethos, urging Mann to issue a public apology and retract his statements. Singh stressed the need for reasoned discourse on the SYL impasse, rather than divisive rhetoric.
Another Congress MLA, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, warned that Punjab has no surplus water to spare and any concession under political pressure would constitute a historic betrayal of farmers and citizens. Khaira also raised suspicions about a "growing proximity" between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP-led Central Government, calling for transparency on potential behind-the-scenes deals regarding the SYL canal.
Haryana Opposition Alleges Political Motives
In Haryana, Indian National Lok Dal president Abhay Singh Chautala accused the meeting between the two chief ministers of being a delaying tactic until the Punjab elections next year. He alleged collusion between the BJP and AAP, stating, "The entire exercise is being carried out to mislead the public." Chautala challenged Mann to implement the Supreme Court's decision on water sharing immediately, contrasting Mann's past stance of not giving a drop of water to Haryana with his current call for not denying anyone's rights.
The SYL canal dispute remains a highly sensitive issue in regional politics, with water rights being pivotal to agricultural and economic stability in both Punjab and Haryana. As tensions escalate, the opposition's demands for accountability and protection of Punjab's resources underscore the deep-seated political and emotional dimensions of this long-standing conflict.
