In the vast federal fabric of India, Punjab stands out as a state that has given more than its fair share to the nation’s collective growth. From braving the horrors of partition in 1947 to feeding the nation during the Green Revolution, from producing the highest number of armed forces personnel per capita to contributing significantly to the country’s sports, culture, and diaspora, Punjab’s legacy is foundational to India’s post-independence story. Yet, despite these contributions, there is a growing sense of betrayal and marginalization among Punjabis—a belief that the Union Government has systematically neglected and discriminated against the state in multiple spheres.
Punjab’s role in India’s history is one of profound sacrifice. During the freedom struggle, Punjabis were at the forefront of revolutionary movements. Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai—icons of India’s fight for independence—all hailed from this region. Post-independence, Punjab suffered one of the worst human tragedies during partition, absorbing millions of refugees and rebuilding itself from the ashes. Then came the Green Revolution, in which Punjab led the charge. While the revolution ensured India’s food security and lifted the nation out of hunger, Punjab paid a heavy price in terms of ecological degradation, groundwater depletion, and over-dependence on wheat and paddy. Moreover, the state has long been the backbone of India’s defense apparatus. With nearly every village boasting of soldiers in the Indian Army, Punjab’s military contribution is unmatched. Families routinely send their sons and daughters to the borders, often sacrificing their lives for a country that seems, today, unwilling to acknowledge their pain, grief, and economic hardship.
Punjab’s economy is in a state of distress, and there is little substantive support from the Centre to alleviate this crisis. Despite being one of the richest states in the 1970s and 80s, Punjab today suffers from an agrarian crisis, sluggish industrial growth, and mounting debt. One of the most pressing issues is the fiscal imbalance between the state and the Union. Under the current terms of fiscal federalism, Punjab receives a disproportionately low share of central funds. States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while certainly in need of development aid, receive significantly higher allocations despite Punjab’s strategic and historical importance. Moreover, Punjab’s demands for debt relief, particularly debts accrued due to central mandates such as free electricity for agriculture during the militancy period, have been consistently overlooked. The state’s request for a one-time debt waiver or a special financial package has not received even a formal hearing at the highest levels of government. The discriminatory approach becomes even more glaring when compared to the generous central assistance offered to states that align politically with the ruling party at the Centre.
The farmers’ protest of 2020-21 was a watershed moment in modern Indian politics. It brought to the forefront the disconnect between the Union Government and the agrarian heartlands of North India. At the center of this protest was Punjab—a state that led the movement both in spirit and numbers. The demand was simple: repeal the controversial farm laws and ensure a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Though the government eventually rolled back the laws under pressure, it failed to engage sincerely with the protesters’ core concerns. The MSP, a lifeline for Punjab’s farmers, still lacks legal protection, and promises made during the protest’s resolution remain unfulfilled. Worse, instead of being treated with dignity, the farmers—many of them elderly and peaceful—were labelled as “Khalistanis” or “anti-nationals” by some voices in the ruling establishment. Such vilification of dissent not only deepens mistrust but also reflects a dangerous shift in how the government views democratic engagement.
Punjab’s alienation is not limited to economics or agriculture. There is a sustained disregard for its cultural and linguistic identity as well. Punjabi, a language with rich literary and spiritual heritage, has often been sidelined in national initiatives. Whether it’s the New Education Policy, central language commissions, or digital platforms, Punjabi rarely receives the recognition it deserves. There have also been controversies surrounding the status of Punjab’s heritage and historical sites. The Centre’s handling of institutions like the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the interference in religious affairs through administrative means have raised eyebrows and added to the perception of cultural insensitivity. Furthermore, despite being a politically active and aware state, Punjab’s representation in national media, debates, and central policy-making bodies is disproportionately low. Key ministerial portfolios rarely go to Punjabi MPs, and national narratives often ignore the state unless there is a controversy or crisis. This erasure from the national consciousness reinforces the sentiment that Punjab is only remembered when needed, and forgotten otherwise.
Punjab, being the homeland of the Sikh community, also faces a unique kind of scrutiny. In recent years, Sikh dissent—whether in the form of peaceful protests, demands for justice for 1984 riot victims, or calls for better state autonomy—has been conflated with separatism. This is both unfair and dangerous. It undermines the secular, democratic ethos of Punjab and alienates a community that has been among the most patriotic and generous contributors to India’s progress. Incidents of NIA raids, arrests of activists, and the use of UAPA laws disproportionately against Sikh individuals only strengthen the perception of profiling. The sense of being constantly under suspicion is deeply hurtful and fosters a growing disconnect between the state and the larger Indian identity it once proudly upheld.
Punjab’s discontent is not born out of rebellion—it is born out of disappointment. The state seeks respect, recognition, and equal treatment in the Indian Union. The idea of federalism in India must go beyond tokenism. It must include genuine consultation, fair fiscal allocation, and cultural inclusion. The Centre must acknowledge Punjab’s legitimate concerns and work with its people and leaders to chart a path of shared growth and dignity. Ignoring Punjab or reducing its grievances to politics is short-sighted. A democracy is only as strong as the faith its people have in its institutions. At this moment, that faith is being tested in Punjab. If the Union Government wishes to preserve national unity and harmony, it must start by treating Punjab not as a rebellious child but as an equal stakeholder in the Indian dream.