Punjab Floods Ignite Sikh Anger Over Delhi’s Water War Claims
The devastating floods of 2025 have once again plunged Indian Punjab into crisis. Millions of people have been displaced, farms flooded and crops destroyed. Farmers, laborers and common citizens are once again blaming Delhi. For the Sikh community, this is not just a natural calamity but an “organized water war” through which Delhi is weakening and crippling Punjab. The old statements of Delhi’s ministers, which talked about making water a weapon, are now becoming a reality. There is only one question echoing in the minds of the people: Was it just rain or another trick of Delhi?
Delhi’s policy and the charge of weaponizing water
Punjab is the agricultural backbone of India, which is called the “Grain Basket.” The crops of wheat and rice that feed the whole of India grow from the waters of these rivers. But this water has become a threat to Punjab due to Delhi’s policies. For years, Sikhs have remembered statements made by Delhi ministers that water can be used as a weapon.
Now when the gates of the dams are suddenly opened and the flow of water is diverted in such a way that only the areas of Punjab are affected, this allegation is not just feared but felt to be a reality.
Last year, a Delhi minister was quoted in newspapers as saying, Water resources can be used strategically for our state security. These statements provoke the anger of the Sikh masses. This year, when dozens of settlements on the banks of the Sutlej and Beas rivers were submerged, people reflected, this is Delhi’s policy, not a natural disaster of rain.
The public response and social media
The atmosphere in the villages and towns of Punjab after the floods was unprecedented. Seeing their barren fields, the farmers said that Delhi wants to starve them. The workers said that Delhi wants to enslave their generations. There is a storm on social media.
Hashtags are trending on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram #WaterAsWeapon, #PunjabFloods and #DelhiWarOnSikhs.
Videos went viral in which people were shouting, Water is now a weapon and Punjab is a battlefield. It wasn’t just feelings. Rather, it was a collective narrative that took root in every household of Punjab.
Also Read:The Sikh Story India Tries to Erase
This is the atmosphere in which the Sikh people are losing faith in Delhi. They believe that these disasters are not accidents, but deliberate strategies to keep Punjab weak and subservient.
The sad reality of the Punjab government’s helplessness and statistics
The state government is also facing severe criticism. Relief could not reach the affected areas, medical facilities remained unavailable and people were forced to leave the village by making their own boats. The victims said that the Punjab government is a branch of Delhi, not our government.
According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, this year’s floods affected 260 villages. Seven lac acres of agricultural land was submerged. 8 million people were directly affected. Official figures estimate the damage at 2 bn, but local farmers’ organizations claim the actual loss is twice that.
These are not just numbers but the wounds of an entire state. Behind every submerged field was a farmer’s dream and behind every deserted house was a family’s hope. The farmers of Punjab are saying, “We grow food for Delhi, and Delhi is starving us.”
Amritpal Singh and the New Generation Trend
In such a situation, the trend of the younger generation is changing rapidly. The leader who speaks openly against Delhi is becoming popular. Amritpal Singh, described by many quarters as the “new Bhindranwale,” is becoming increasingly popular among the youth.
His speeches, in which he speaks of Punjab’s sovereignty and the dignity of Sikhs, are heard by millions.
The youth believe that only a leadership that stands up to Delhi can guarantee the survival of Punjab. Chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” are again echoing in Amritpal Singh’s rallies.
This is not just a political issue, but a social one. The loss of trust in Delhi has pushed the new generation towards leaders who are not ready for any compromise.
The central government always says that these are natural disasters. Indian media is also doing the same. But the people of Delhi do not believe in it. According to him, these disasters are actually Delhi’s planning.
When the old statements of Indian ministers come out, the current claims of Delhi become meaningless. People believe that this is a systematic water war aimed at keeping Punjab in a constant state of crisis. The words of Delhi do not touch anyone’s heart anymore.
The Indian mainstream media has traditionally portrayed the problem as a “natural disaster”. However, the international media presented a different picture like, “The people of Punjab are losing faith in Delhi”. Floods have further deepened the gulf between Delhi and Punjab.
A recent UN report states that water disputes within India are on the rise and the worst affected are Punjab and Haryana. Human rights organizations have also asked Delhi why it is always Punjab that suffers the most.
The Sikh diaspora has also raised its voice on this occasion. Protests were held by the Sikh community in London, Toronto and New York, saying Delhi was weakening Sikhs by weaponizing water.
Floods are temporary, but their effects are long-lasting. The growing anger against Delhi in the hearts of the people of Punjab is not just a temporary reaction but political and social lava. If Delhi does not solve the water problem, then this water war will not be limited to the rivers only. It will change the politics of India. The people of Punjab are now saying that Delhi is not their well-wisher but their enemy. This thinking can become the basis for major political explosions in the future. The slogan “Water is the weapon now and Punjab is the battlefield” can become the biggest challenge of Indian politics in the times to come.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author and do not reflect the official stance, policies, or perspectives of the Platform.
