Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah opposes sharing Indus River water with other states

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah

Amritsar (Punjab) – As Pakistan faces agricultural distress following India’s move to revoke the Indus Water Sharing Treaty, a parallel situation appears to be emerging domestically. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reportedly refused to release Indus River water to Punjab and other Indian states.

🚨 Omar Abdullah refuses to share Indus river water with other Indian states! 🌊

AAP slams him: “Water is a national resource — Punjab has equal rights!” ⚖️

🤔 Who gave him such authority?

When water distribution is a Central subject, isn’t this a challenge to national unity?… pic.twitter.com/VE3m6GVrx9

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 21, 2025

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the media, stated that the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir will be prioritized for the people of the state. “Only after fulfilling our own requirements will, we consider sharing this water with others,” he added.

Opposing the proposed 113-kilometre-long canal intended to carry water to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the Chief Minister said, “When we sought assistance on the Ujj and Shahpur Kandi projects, Punjab made us wait. Why should we provide water to them now?”

Water is a national asset; Punjab has equal Rights to it – AAP criticizes Omar Abdullah

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Neel Garg

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticized Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his stance on withholding Indus River water from other Indian states. AAP spokesperson Neil Garg stated that Omar Abdullah has no authority to take unilateral decisions on river water distribution, particularly concerning a national resource like the Indus.

“This water belongs to the entire country. Punjab has an equal right to it,” Garg asserted. He emphasized that only the central government is constitutionally empowered to decide on matters related to inter-state river water sharing.

🚨 सिंधु वॉटर ट्रीटी रद्द हुई — तो अब पंजाब को उसका बनता हक मिलना ही चाहिए! 💧

पंजाब सरहद का सपूत है —
🛡️ जब जंग होती है, रणभूमि बनता है
🌾 जब भूख होती है, अन्नदाता बनता है

अब जब पानी बचा है तो हक भी पंजाब का ही है!

उमर अब्दुल्ला का बयान दुखद और गैर-जिम्मेदाराना है।
यह फैसला… pic.twitter.com/MDaI9oUeR0

— Neel Garg (@GargNeel) June 20, 2025

Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to the nation, he said:

“Punjab is a border state that has stood on the frontline during every war. It feeds the country by contributing to national food reserves. But this effort has come at a cost—Punjab;s groundwater is depleting rapidly.”

"जंग में ढाल बना पंजाब, भूख में अन्नदाता बना पंजाब —
अब जब हक़ का पानी मांगा, तो सियासत शुरू हो गई?"

उमर अब्दुल्ला जी, यह आपका नहीं, देश का पानी है।
👉 पंजाब का हक़ कोई एकतरफा बयान नहीं, संविधान और न्याय तय करेंगे।

📢 जब #IndusWaterTreaty ख़त्म हो चुकी है,
तो सबसे पहला हक़ उस… pic.twitter.com/mJuWxg4tbn

— Neel Garg (@GargNeel) June 21, 2025

Following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Sharing Treaty with Pakistan, the AAP has urged the central government to ensure equitable distribution of Indus waters and uphold Punjab’s rightful share.