Punjab, a state once celebrated for its agricultural prosperity and vibrant cultural identity, today finds itself wrestling with a web of persistent challenges. From agrarian distress and industrial stagnation to environmental degradation and political marginalization, the state’s issues are deeply layered—both historically rooted and shaped by contemporary neglect.
Agriculture remains at the heart of Punjab’s economy, but the sector is in crisis. The over-dependence on wheat and paddy, coupled with intensive chemical use, has depleted soil health and groundwater reserves. Although the farmers of Punjab played a leading role in the historic protests against the now-repealed farm laws, the deeper structural reforms they sought are still largely absent. Farm incomes remain unstable, procurement outside of wheat and paddy is minimal, and MSP guarantees continue to be uncertain. Farmers are also burdened by debt, with thousands of families affected by suicides. Despite their central role in ensuring India’s food security, Punjab’s farmers feel unheard and unsupported.
Parallel to agriculture is the state of Punjab’s industry, which has seen consistent stagnation over the last few decades. Once a hub for small and medium enterprises—especially in textiles, cycles, sports goods, and auto parts—Punjab’s industrial base is now struggling to stay competitive. Outdated technology, power issues, lack of infrastructure, and high logistics costs have driven many businesses into decline. Furthermore, successive governments have failed to attract major investments or offer long-term industrial policy solutions. As a result, Punjab has missed out on the manufacturing boom that other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have benefited from. The absence of a robust private sector has also aggravated the state’s unemployment crisis.
Environmental degradation is another looming threat, though it often gets sidelined in policy debates. Years of intensive farming, chemical fertilizer use, stubble burning, and over-extraction of groundwater have devastated Punjab’s ecology. The state’s groundwater levels are declining at an alarming rate, with many blocks already declared “dark zones.” Air pollution, especially during the paddy harvesting season, has not only drawn national attention but also put Punjab’s farmers at odds with environmental regulations. Rivers and natural water bodies are shrinking or contaminated due to unchecked industrial and agricultural waste. Despite visible signs of ecological collapse, sustainable practices and green policies remain under-prioritized.
Water is both a matter of physical scarcity and political conflict. Punjab is facing a depleting water table and insufficient irrigation resources, yet it remains embroiled in disputes like the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue with Haryana. The state asserts that it has no surplus water to spare, and yet legal and political pressure continues to mount. A related concern is the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which oversees the distribution of water and power from key river projects. Punjab has repeatedly objected to the central government’s control and the appointment of officers from outside the state to key posts in the board. The state argues that it should have a greater say in managing the natural resources that originate within its own territory. This tussle is not only about administration—it reflects Punjab’s broader struggle for autonomy and fairness in the federal structure.
This brings us to the larger issue of autonomy, a long-standing and often misunderstood demand of Punjab. Rooted in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973, Punjab’s call for greater autonomy seeks a genuine federal structure in which states have more control over agriculture, industry, taxation, and natural resources. The resolution never advocated secession—it simply sought the devolution of powers as envisioned in the Constitution. Yet, successive central governments have viewed such demands with suspicion, leaving little room for meaningful federal dialogue. The result is a growing disconnect between the Centre and the state, fueling perceptions of marginalization.
The issue of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, further deepens this sentiment. Originally promised to Punjab, the city has remained under central administration. For many Punjabis, this represents a broken promise—one that symbolizes the Centre’s unwillingness to address the state’s historical grievances. Compounding this is the unresolved Punjabi-speaking areas dispute. During the linguistic reorganization of states in 1966, several Punjabi-majority regions were allocated to Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Punjab has long demanded their inclusion, but little progress has been made. These symbolic and territorial issues continue to evoke strong emotional and political reactions.
Economically, Punjab is also suffering from high levels of unemployment. The once-thriving entrepreneurial spirit of the state is being replaced by an exodus of youth seeking better futures abroad. The “brain drain” from Punjab is not just a loss of talent—it reflects a larger loss of hope. Families invest lakhs in foreign education or migration consultants, often viewing Canada, Australia, or the UK as more promising than staying home. Without viable local opportunities, Punjab is losing both its youth and its potential.
Overlaying these socio-economic concerns is a climate of political instability. Punjab’s political leadership has often been fragmented, reactive, and disconnected from ground realities. Frequent changes in leadership, internal party conflicts, and lack of long-term vision have contributed to a governance vacuum. Meanwhile, attempts to stoke religious or identity-based polarization—sometimes fueled by diaspora influences—pose fresh risks to the state’s hard-won peace after the turbulent 1980s and early 90s.
In sum, Punjab today stands at a critical juncture. Its concerns are not just administrative or economic, but existential—rooted in a deep sense of being sidelined, misunderstood, and underrepresented. The need of the hour is not just piecemeal reforms, but a comprehensive reassessment of Punjab’s role and rights within the Indian Union. This requires not only political courage but also empathy and a genuine federal spirit. Only then can Punjab rise again—resilient, self-reliant, and justly empowered.