In an attempt to grab the electorate’s attention, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) unveiled its latest poll manifesto, which focuses on an important promise: the ownership of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India via a bilateral land swap. While the proposal evokes patriotic feelings, a deeper examination indicates that the true problems plaguing Punjab are within its boundaries, not across them.

Punjab, historically an epicenter of cultural and agricultural success, suffered a huge setback in 1966. The reorganization of states resulted in the emergence of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, which carved off significant sections of Punjab land. This change decreased Punjab’s area from 202,000 square kilometers to a tiny portion of its previous size. The central Government’s decision to place Chandigarh, the former capital of Punjab, under its direct control intensified the state’s sense of loss and isolation. This territorial reduction was more than just geographical; it shattered a coherent Punjabi identity and scattered its people, depleting critical economic and agricultural........

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