02 June, 2026 – Jalandhar : Members of farmers’ unions, women’s groups and student unions held a seminar in Jalandhar to discuss contemporary issues facing Punjab, with special focus on the severe water crisis in the state.
A special seminar was held in Jalandhar, where concerns were raised regarding the grave ecological, social and political issues haunting the state. On the occasion leaders called for special efforts to save the depleting groundwater in the state, regarding which, if stringent measures are not taken immediate, the state will be devoid of its groundwater reserves by 2041.
The seminar coincided with the death anniversary of activist Madan Gopal, a celebrated fellow leader who had been raising people’s issues. On the occasion, a discussion was held on the topic ‘Punjab’s issues, the need and importance of a joint struggle’. Earlier, the leaders present also paid tributes to Madan Gopal. Rajinder Singh Deep Singhwala, state general secretary of Kirti Kisan Union, the main speaker on the occasion, said the biggest issue of Punjab is the water crisis.
He said today, so much water is being sucked out of the ground that by 2041, the underground water of Punjab will be exhausted.
They called for constructive steps to alleviate the water crisis in Punjab which is constantly pushing the state towards desertification. Similarly, they also discussed the issue of employment. Speakers said the youth had sold their land and property and gone abroad for employment, but even there, they were going through financial hardships. Speakers said that what they described as the “fascist attack” by the Central government on Punjab is intensifying. They alleged that the Centre is attempting to consolidate power by giving a communal colour to Punjab’s communal harmony and engaging in vote-bank politics.
On the occasion, senior leader of CPI ML New Democracy Comrade Ajmer Singh, Manjit Surja, Kuljit Singh Verka, state leader of Kirti Kisan Union Santokh Singh Sandhu, Istri Jagriti Manch Jasvir Kaur, Nirmaljit Kaur, Kashmir Singh Umarpur, leader of Punjab Students Union Ramandeep Kaur, Mangaljit Pandori of Naujwan Bharat Sabha, etc. were present. Darshan Pal Bandala, Makhan Singh Kandola, M and Vishwamitra Bammi also participated in the discussion.
The Tribune