Punjab: A Land of Sacrifice, Strength, and Struggle for Justice- Satnam Singh Chahal
Punjab, often referred to as the sword arm and breadbasket of India, has contributed to the country in ways that no other state can match. From laying down the lives of its sons on the battlefield to tilling the land to feed the nation, Punjab’s legacy is one of unmatched patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience. However, the gratitude shown to the state and its people has not always reflected the depth of their contribution.
When the country was under British colonial rule, the people of Punjab were among the foremost who stood up, resisted, and laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. From the Ghadar Movement to the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and countless unsung heroes, Punjab became the heartbeat of the revolutionary struggle. Punjabis contributed more lives to the independence movement than perhaps any other region in India. Their voice, drenched in blood, echoed the call for “Inquilab Zindabad,” and their pain became the price of India’s liberty.
In the 1960s, India faced one of its worst food crises. Famines loomed, hunger stalked the land, and the country was on the brink of depending permanently on foreign aid. It was then that Punjab stepped forward. It’s hardworking farmers, with support from agricultural scientists, who transformed their fields into golden assets during the Green Revolution. High-yield seeds, modern farming techniques, and relentless effort turned Punjab into India’s breadbasket. The wheat and rice produced in Punjab saved millions of Indians from starvation.
Even today, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) depends heavily on Punjab’s grain. Year after year, Punjabi farmers produce far beyond their needs, not just for profit, but out of a deeply rooted sense of national duty. However, the returns they receive are meagre. Farmers battle with debt, rising input costs, depleting groundwater, and shrinking profits. Despite these challenges, their spirit remains unbroken.
Punjab’s contribution to the Indian armed forces is phenomenal. Whether it was the war with China in 1962, or the wars with Pakistan in 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict of 1999, Punjabi soldiers were at the frontlines. It is said that Punjabis don’t fight for medals—they fight for pride, for duty, and for the soil that raised them. As a result, Punjab holds the highest number of war widows in the country. Every village has a tale of a young man who went to the border and never returned.
But despite such noble service, Punjab has not received fair treatment in return. The reorganization of Punjab in 1966 left lasting wounds. The state was split on linguistic grounds, but the division was unjust. Haryana was carved out, but the capital city, Chandigarh—built as Punjab’s crown jewel—was made a Union Territory and shared with Haryana. Despite repeated assurances, Chandigarh remains outside Punjab’s complete control.
Moreover, the Bhakra Beas Project—vital for irrigation and power—was removed from Punjab’s control and handed to the Union Government under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Today, Punjab has limited say over the water and power produced from its own resources. In addition, river water-sharing agreements have diverted Punjab’s waters to other states, creating ecological and agricultural distress.
The injustice doesn’t end there. Several Punjabi-speaking regions were deliberately excluded from Punjab during the reorganization, despite clear cultural and linguistic majorities. Areas that should have been a part of Punjab were handed over to Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The demand for rightful inclusion continues to this day, but remains unresolved.
Adding to this, a 150-kilometer belt along the India-Pakistan border has been placed under the administrative control of the Border Security Force (BSF). This limits the powers of Punjab’s own police force and gives rise to jurisdictional tensions. Villagers in this belt often feel abandoned and insecure, caught between two authorities yet adequately protected by neither.
Today, Punjab faces multiple challenges. Unemployment, a struggling agricultural sector, a drug crisis affecting the youth, and rising state debt weigh heavily on the state. Farmers protest for fair minimum support prices. Government employees and teachers demand job security and timely payments. Young people leave in large numbers for foreign shores, disillusioned by a lack of opportunities at home.
Despite all of this, the heart of Punjab continues to beat with pride and defiance. Its people are not begging for favors—they are demanding justice, recognition, and dignity. The protests in Punjab are not acts of rebellion but expressions of frustration from a community that has given everything and received little in return.
Punjab’s story is one of valor, resilience, and immense contribution. From the freedom struggle to feeding millions, from guarding the borders to sacrificing generations, Punjabis have proven time and again that they put India first. Yet, the national narrative rarely gives them the honor they deserve. The political class remembers Punjab at the time of elections or war—but quickly forgets its farmers, soldiers, and youth in times of policy-making.
Still, the spirit of Punjab lives on—in the soldier who salutes the flag, the farmer who rises before sunrise, the student who dares to dream, and the protester who stands up for rights. It is time for the rest of the nation to look back and reflect: Has Punjab truly been treated justly? And if not—when will the sacrifices of Punjab be honored not just in words, but in deeds?