Punjab Outlook

Chandigarh-The decision to shift the Punjab Assembly session to Anandpur Sahib is a political and symbolic step, not a constitutional surrender of Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh. The claim over Chandigarh is based on historical, administrative, and legal grounds established since the 1966 Reorganization of States. That claim does not disappear simply because a session is held elsewhere. However, what worries many Punjabis is the political signal such moves send. When the elected government voluntarily conducts official business outside Chandigarh, critics argue that it creates a perception that the government itself is unsure or hesitant about exercising its full authority in the capital. The concern is not about legality—it’s about optics, symbolism, and political message. Opponents argue that instead of strengthening Punjab’s historical stand, such actions unintentionally make it look like Punjab is “adjusting” or “compromising,” thereby weakening the emotional and political narrative that Chandigarh is the rightful capital of Punjab. Thus, while the constitutional claim remains unchanged, the government’s choices can affect public sentiment and political momentum.