The 214-km-long canal was set to interlink Sutlej and Yamuna rivers and defines water-sharing between Punjab and Haryana
Even as the contentious issue of Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal remains pending before the Supreme Court, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), which has raked up the issue, is gearing up to march towards Punjab border to redig the canal on February 23.
Its leader Abhay Chautala, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Haryana, had announced that his party cadre would reach Ambala, from where they will march towards border villages in Punjab and start digging.
Following the announcement, Sikh radical groups have threatened to protest at the site of the canal, compelling Punjab police to mobilise forces in the area.
Sikh activists, under the banner of All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), said that they would march from Devigarh to Kapoori village near Haryana-Punjab border, where former PM Indira Gandhi had laid the foundation stone of the canal.
"Despite ramping up support over SYL in the elections, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has failed to take up the issue. We, however, will not relent as it would deprive our farmers of the water from our rivers. We will conduct a peaceful march, but will not let the INLD supporters enter the villages. It's a matter of life and death for the state and our supporters from across the state will gather and protest against any such attempt by INLD," said AISSF leader Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad.
The 214-km-long canal was set to interlink Sutlej and Yamuna rivers and defines water-sharing between Punjab and Haryana. However, the project was suspended following a dispute between the two states.
Sikh activists have also been amassing support over the issue by developing a mobile app to collect over a million votes to challenge the Supreme Court's order on the river water sharing. "We hope to collect over 1 million votes from Sikhs across the world and then present it before the International Court of Justice at The Hague in the Netherlands," said Peer Muhammad.
The organisation has also received support from other Sikh groups, including Dal Khalsa, which also took a dig at the INLD for raking up the issue.
Congress chief minister candidate in Punjab, Captain Amarinder, also lashed out at Badals, alleging that Chautalas were reaping political benefits over the issue due to close proximity with Badals.
The SAD had made the SYL as a major poll plank in run upto the Assembly elections, even launching their poll campaign with a commitment to safeguard the river waters of the state. However, INLD's call for starting the construction work of the canal, in background of the pending verdict has not only put the Akalis at backfoot, but also led the radical groups to gain momentum.
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