In a move that has sparked concern across various sections of Punjab, approximately 150 kilometers of area along the international border has reportedly been handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF). Following this, security fencing and barbed wire are being erected deeper inside the state, raising questions about the shrinking civil and agricultural accessibility for local Punjabis.
The expanded control by the BSF, according to reports, goes beyond the traditional 15-kilometer zone from the international border, leading many to feel that the already limited access and resources of the state are being further restricted. Farmers in border villages have expressed fears that their land might become inaccessible or tightly regulated, affecting livelihoods and freedom of movement.
Critics argue that this is yet another step in a series of decisions that have gradually eroded Punjab’s autonomy and territorial integrity. Many draw parallels to past disputes such as the control over Chandigarh – the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana – and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), where Punjab’s administrative share has been contested or diluted over the years.
“This is not just about security,” said a local activist in Ferozepur. “It’s about the slow chipping away of Punjab’s rights. From Chandigarh to river waters, and now to our very soil – everything is being taken out of our hands.”
Political observers note that the fencing not only restricts access but also creates a psychological and socio-political divide. “It’s like Punjab is being fenced in – made handicapped, deliberately weakened,” said one expert. “When land, water, and governance are all being controlled from the outside, what is left of self-governance?”
The Centre has maintained that the expansion of BSF jurisdiction is in the interest of national security, especially amid concerns over cross-border smuggling and infiltration. However, regional leaders have demanded clarity, compensation for affected landowners, and assurance that civilian rights will not be overridden in the name of security.
As the barbed wire stretches further into Punjab’s fertile heartland, the debate intensifies – is this a step toward safety, or another move in a long pattern of central overreach into a historically rich and proud state?
The contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issue remains unresolved, despite Punjab’s repeated opposition to sharing its river waters. The people of Punjab have time and again rejected the construction of the SYL Canal, which would divert Punjab’s already depleting water to other states, especially Haryana. Yet, legal and political pressure continues to mount for its construction, ignoring the ecological and agricultural crisis in Punjab.“It is robbery in daylight. We don’t even have enough water for our own fields, and still, they want to take more,” said a farmer leader in Patiala.
Adding insult to injury, the Iradi Commission report — which recommended restoring Chandigarh to Punjab — continues to gather dust. Despite multiple assurances from successive governments, no action has been taken to implement the report. Chandigarh, the rightful capital of Punjab, remains under Union control and is simultaneously administered for both Punjab and Haryana.”Every government has used delaying tactics. What was constitutionally recommended decades ago has been denied in broad daylight,” said a senior advocate from Mohali.
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), once managed with significant Punjabi representation, has also seen its control diluted. Punjab’s officers are being replaced with officials from other states, further marginalizing local governance. Similar trends are visible in energy, agriculture, and education policies.Political analysts and civil society groups argue that these actions are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic centralization that targets Punjab disproportionately.
“There is a pattern,” said a retired judge. “From the denial of Chandigarh, to water theft through SYL, to ignoring Iradi, to putting BSF in charge of our villages – Punjab is being fenced in, silenced, and made handicapped. This is not governance, this is domination.”Many believe that this consistent sidelining is not just administrative but ideological — aimed at diluting Punjab’s distinct cultural, linguistic, and political identity.
Regional parties and farmer unions have called for unity among Punjabis across political lines to demand restoration of the state’s rights. “This is not about party politics anymore. This is about Punjab’s survival,” said a union leader from Malwa.As voices grow louder, questions remain: Will the Centre address the rising anger in Punjab? Or will this historic land, known for its resilience and sacrifice, be further pushed to the margins of India’s federal framework?