Chandigarh, (26 April ): Calling the Indus Water Treaty a “historic blunder”. Jago Punjab president is Swarn Singh Boparai. He is a former Union government secretary. Boparai demanded the allocation of the waters of the Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus rivers to Punjab. At a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club, Boparai said that 80% of these rivers’ waters were wrongfully given away. He insisted it was to Pakistan’s benefit. He previously served as Principal Secretary of Punjab’s Irrigation Department and Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University. The allocation happened under the now-lapsed treaty.
With the Indus Water Treaty suspended, Punjab has renewed hopes of reclaiming its rightful share of river waters. “Punjab is on the verge of becoming a desert. Diversion of Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus waters is essential to undo this grave injustice,” Boparai asserted.
Central Govt Accused of Depriving Punjab
Boparai accused the central government of using “malpractices and coercive tactics” to deprive Punjab of its only major natural resource—river water. “The exploitation of Punjab’s waters is deliberate. Returning them is not just justified but essential for Punjab’s survival,” he said.
Indus Water Treaty : Jago Punjab Submits Charge Sheet Against Centre
The Jago Punjab group consists of former bureaucrats, ex-servicemen, police officers, doctors, and activists. They also submitted a formal charge sheet against the Union Government. The group alleged violations of federalism, state autonomy, and equitable development.
Key Demands & Legal Stand
- Punjab’s exclusive riparian rights over Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi (under Article 246, Entry 17 of List II of the Constitution).
- Rajasthan, a non-riparian state, was illegally allocated 8 MAF of Ravi-Beas waters in 1955 under pressure, without Punjab Assembly’s ratification (violating Article 299).
- Rajasthan continues drawing excess water without paying Punjab’s due costs.
Punjab’s Looming Water Crisis
The group highlighted:
✔ Rapid desertification of Punjab.
✔ Depleting groundwater levels.
✔ Unfair secrecy over the 1955 water agreement.
Vow to Continue Democratic Struggle
Boparai vowed that Jago Punjab would keep fighting to secure Punjab’s water rights and expose distortions in India’s federal framework.
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