Hoshiarpur- Once again a voice has been raised in Punjab for the right to water. MLA from Chabbewal Assembly constituency Dr Ishank on Monday staged a strong sit-in against the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) at Nangal Dam. This sit-in is being led by senior leaders of the Punjab government and the Aam Aadmi Party, including the direct inspiration and guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself.
Many important leaders and officials including Gurwinder Singh Pabla, Sandeep Saini (Bank Finco Chairman), Harjeet Singh (Market Committee Mukerian Chairman), Jaspal Singh Chechi (Market Committee Hoshiarpur Chairman), Anish Kumar and Balwinder Soni were also present in the sit-in along with Dr Ishank. The main issue of the sit-in is that Punjab is not getting its share of water.
Dr Ishank said that BBMB has been ignoring Punjab's water rights for a long time. He alleged that the Central Government and BBMB are giving a large amount of water of Punjab's share to other states, due to which the farmers and common people of Punjab are getting affected.
Dr Ishank said, Punjab farmers are already facing the brunt of weather and financial crisis. If they do not get their share of water, their existence will be in danger. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ji, we will not tolerate this injustice anymore. He said that this protest is only a warning.
If the situation does not improve soon, this struggle will be intensified in the entire state. Sandeep Saini said, forcibly snatching the water of Punjab's right and giving it to other states is not only a violation of the Constitution, but it is also a stab in the back of our farmers. Harjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh Chechi said that this protest is the voice of the farmers of Punjab, which cannot be suppressed anymore.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the party, this struggle is no longer only of the farmers, but of every citizen of the state. The party workers involved in the protest were carrying placards and banners on which slogans like 'Water is our right', 'BBMB come to your senses' and 'Give us back our rightful water' were written.
The protest was peaceful, but the enthusiasm and zeal of the people remained high. Dr Ishank and his colleagues made it clear that till Punjab gets its rights, this struggle will continue and Punjab will continue to raise its voice under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.