Punjab vs Haryana over Chandigarh explained – How did Chandigarh become a shared capital?

Today we will discuss the war that’s going on between Punjab and Haryana. Firstly we will discuss the claims of both the states.

Haryana became an independent state in 1966. After that CM Dushyant Chautala said that if Punjab leaves claim on Chandigarh, then Haryana will do the same. As we all know that Chandigarh is a union territory and it is between Punjab and Haryana. It has the independent status of Union territory. An administrator is appointed by the President of India to run the Union Territory.

Chandigarh is a planned city that was established after independence in 1950. After Independence, in 1951 a state was formed named P.E.P.S.U (Patiala and East Punjab States Union), but in 1956 this state was ruined and Punjab was formed. At that time people asked to divide Punjab into 2 parts is Haryana and Punjab, but State Reorganisation Commission declined their request. As the demand of division was in continuity, the request was approved. And there were 3 parts Punjab, Haryana and Himachal.

There was confusion about the capital of both the states then it was decided that a new city will be established and considered the capital of only Punjab. Till 1966 Chandigarh was the capital of Punjab after Haryana and Punjab started sharing Chandigarh as a capital temporarily. The properties of Chandigarh was divided in the ratio of 60:40 (60 in Punjab, 40 in Haryana). In 1985, under Rajiv – Longowal Accord, Chandigarh was to be handed to Punjab on 26 January 1986 but at the last minute, Rajiv Gandhi Government withdrew this agreement.

Haryana said that in 1970, the centre said that they can share Chandigarh for 5 years or till they create their own capital and at that time centre granted them 10 crores and a loan of the same amount so that they can setup their capital. In 2018, the CM of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar suggested setting up a special body for the development of Chandigarh, but Punjab CM rejected it. And till now Haryana has been demanding a separate High Court. Right now Haryana wants to make buildings of their own in Chandigarh but Punjab Government is rejecting their demands. That is why this chaos is going on….