SYL Canal Row: Punjab BJP Chief Among Top Leaders Detained For Protesting Outside CM Mann's Home

The Punjab Police detained BJP's state president Sunil Jakhar, along with other party leaders for protesting outside CM Bhagwant Mann's residence over the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue.

BJP's state president Sunil Jakhar was seen shouting slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party government while protesting outside Bhagwant Mann’s residence.

Source : PTI Video Screengrab

The Punjab Police on Saturday afternoon detained BJP's state president Sunil Jakhar, along with several other party leaders after they staged a protest outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh over the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue. In a video posted by news agency PTI on X (formerly Twitter), BJP leaders were seen being taken to the station in a police van. They were all heard shouting slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party government in the video.

VIDEO | Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, other party leaders detained following their protest outside CM Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh over Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue. pic.twitter.com/8Eo4pwmhlU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2023

In a separate video posted by PTI, BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the state government has "backstabbed" the people by betraying the interests of Punjab for politics.

VIDEO | "Bhagwant Mann's government has backstabbed Punjab and its people. They have betrayed the interests of Punjab for politics," says Punjab BJP president @sunilkjakhar as he and other party leaders protest outside CM Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh over… pic.twitter.com/XuUNG7rIma

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2023

The BJP president strongly hit out at the Punjab government and said the Supreme Court gave its verdict because of the weak evidence given by Bhagwant Mann's government. He also said the government can not take decisions blindfolded.

VIDEO | "The court gave its verdict because of the weak evidence given by Bhagwant Mann's government. However, governments don't take decisions blindfolded," says Punjab BJP president @sunilkjakhar on Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue. pic.twitter.com/I3XiO3hGZQ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2023

Earlier on Wednesday last week, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to survey the portion of land in Punjab, which was allocated for the construction of a portion of the canal in the state. However, the Punjab Cabinet said there is no question of building the canal.

During the hearing in the matter, the apex court directed the Centre to conduct a survey of the portion of land in Punjab that was allocated for the construction of a part of the SYL canal and make an estimate of the extent of construction carried out there.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also asked the Centre to actively pursue the mediation process to resolve the dispute between Punjab and Haryana over the construction of the canal.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann last Thursday said not even a single drop of additional water will be shared with any other state at any cost. Last week, some meetings were also held, where the council of ministers discussed the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue.

Earlier Mann was quoted as saying PTI: "Also, the SYL issue was discussed at the meeting. Not even a single drop of additional water will be shared with any other state at any cost.”