Chandigarh news — 2026-09-06
Chandigarh saw a wave of opposition demonstrations this week, a fresh artisan marketplace debuts at Sukhna Lake, the Enforcement Directorate moves in a telecom fraud case, and a legislator pushes for a new technology-focused university.
Harsimrat Kaur Leads SAD Women’s Wing in Chandigarh Protest; Police Detain Leaders
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia led a protest in Chandigarh as part of intensifying opposition pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. Several SAD women’s wing leaders were detained by police during the demonstration. Harsimrat Kaur subsequently courted arrest outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh, staging a high-profile act of dissent that drew widespread media attention. Separately, Chandigarh Union Territory police halted a column of Congress party protesters marching toward the same destination, preventing them from reaching the CM’s house. The twin opposition actions on the same day underscored Chandigarh’s role as a focal point for Punjab-directed political agitation, with both the SAD and Congress using the city’s symbolic proximity to the state government to amplify their criticism. Both parties have accused the AAP administration of failing on key governance commitments. The detentions and coordinated street activity renewed debate about civil liberties, the right to protest, and the administration’s posture toward organised opposition demonstrations in the Union Territory. [3]
🎓 Congress MP Calls for Fully Funded Central University in Chandigarh for Semiconductor Research and Robotics
A Congress Member of Parliament has formally proposed the establishment of a fully funded central university in Chandigarh dedicated to advanced fields including semiconductor research and robotics. The proposal, submitted through parliamentary channels, seeks to position the city as a northern hub for high-technology education and innovation at a time when India is investing heavily in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and advanced engineering. The MP argued that a purpose-built, centrally funded institution would generate the skilled talent pipeline that existing campuses in the region cannot adequately supply at the scale industry now demands. Chandigarh already hosts Panjab University and several other premier institutions, but proponents of the new university contend that only a dedicated facility with focused research infrastructure and industry linkages can meet the ambitions of India’s semiconductor and robotics policy agenda. The city’s large and academically ambitious student population, drawn from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, makes it a natural candidate for such an institution. The proposal has yet to receive a formal response from the Union government, but it has generated discussion among educationists and technology sector stakeholders across the region. [6]
🤝 Artisans Gain a Permanent Marketplace at Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake Promenade
A stretch of the promenade along Chandigarh’s iconic Sukhna Lake has been transformed into a dedicated marketplace for local artisans, giving craftspeople a stable and visible platform to sell their work at one of the city’s most visited public spaces. The new stalls bring together weavers, potters, jewellers, and other skilled makers who had previously depended on informal setups or seasonal arrangements to reach customers. Hindustan Times reported that the initiative has been warmly received by both the artisans, who now benefit from greater foot traffic and legitimacy, and by residents and tourists who frequent the lakefront for leisure. Sukhna Lake remains among Chandigarh’s most beloved destinations, drawing large numbers of visitors daily, making it an ideal setting for promoting local craftsmanship alongside recreation. Community advocates and officials have hailed the marketplace as a model for integrating economic opportunity with public space in a manner that celebrates the city’s artistic traditions and supports grassroots livelihoods. The initiative is expected to expand as additional vendors apply for designated stalls in the coming months. [7]
🏢 ED Attaches Rs 1.5 Crore in Properties After BSNL Engineer Booked in SMS Fraud Case
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached seven immovable properties worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore in connection with a money-laundering investigation involving the unauthorised routing of bulk SMS traffic through BSNL’s telecommunications network. The probe is based on a CBI First Information Report naming Swarnjeet Singh, a BSNL engineer based in Chandigarh, along with associates alleged to have enabled an illegal commercial SMS routing scheme. According to investigators, the operation diverted bulk messages through official state telecom infrastructure without authorisation, causing BSNL a revenue loss estimated at Rs 5.42 crore. The ED’s provisional property attachment marks a significant escalation in the case and signals that authorities are pursuing the financial trail of the alleged fraud vigorously. The action reflects a broader regulatory crackdown on telecom fraud in which enforcement agencies are deploying money-laundering statutes to target individuals who exploit public sector infrastructure for private financial gain. The case is expected to proceed toward adjudication before the relevant financial tribunal before further legal steps are taken against the named accused. [2]
Sources: [3] ANI News · [6] theprint.in · [7] Hindustan Times · [2] Telangana Today