Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP-led central government of deliberately choosing Amritsar as the landing site for these flights in an attempt to “defame” Punjab.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Accuses Centre of Defaming Punjab Over Deportee Flights
New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly criticised the Centre over the arrival of another aircraft carrying illegal Indian immigrants deported from the United States. He accused the BJP-led central government of deliberately selecting Amritsar as the landing site for these flights to “defame” Punjab.
A flight carrying 119 deported Indian nationals is expected to arrive at Amritsar Airport around 10 PM today. Among them, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. This comes amid a political controversy following the deportation of 104 Indian migrants last week, who were sent back to India in chains and shackles on a C-17 US military aircraft.
Mr. Mann questioned the rationale behind choosing Amritsar as the designated landing site, alleging a political motive behind the Centre’s decision.
“A second plane carrying Indian citizens who allegedly migrated illegally to the US will land in Amritsar tomorrow. The Ministry of External Affairs should clarify the criteria for selecting Amritsar as the landing site. You choose Amritsar to defame Punjab. At the time when PM Modi and US President Donald Trump were meeting, US authorities must have been putting shackles on our people. Is this the gift Trump has given?” asked the Punjab Chief Minister.
He further accused the BJP-led government of consistently discriminating against Punjab.
“The BJP-led Centre never misses an opportunity to defame Punjab. This is part of a conspiracy to malign Punjab and Punjabis,” alleged Mr. Mann.
However, the BJP has dismissed these claims, accusing Mr. Mann of politicizing the issue for electoral gains.
“Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should refrain from playing politics on such sensitive issues. AAP leaders are more concerned with political gains than the security of the country,” BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal stated.
BJP national spokesperson RP Singh also countered Mann’s allegations, explaining the logistical reason for selecting Amritsar.
“Amritsar is the nearest international airport for flights arriving from the US. That is why deportation flights are landing there. Mr. Bhagwant Mann, stop spreading conspiracy theories and politicizing the issue due to your lack of knowledge,” Singh wrote in a social media post.
