Bhagwant Mann Accuses BJP of “Defaming Punjab” Over Deportation Flights – BJP Responds
“Bhagwant Mann’s Allegations: BJP’s Role in Defaming Punjab”
“Deportation Flights and Political Consequences for Punjab”
New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the central government, led by the BJP, for allegedly attempting to “defame” Punjab by choosing Amritsar as the landing site for deportation flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants. His remarks come ahead of an upcoming flight from the United States, which is set to land at Amritsar with 119 deported Indian nationals, including 67 from Punjab.
Mann raised concerns about the decision to select Amritsar, questioning the political motives behind it. “A second flight carrying Indians who allegedly migrated illegally to the US will land in Amritsar tomorrow. The Ministry of External Affairs should clarify the criteria used to select Amritsar as the landing point. It appears deliberate, aimed at defaming Punjab,” Mann said. He also speculated that the timing of this move might be politically motivated, suggesting that the action was taken during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mann pointed out that the flight includes deportees from several states, including Haryana (33), Gujarat (8), Uttar Pradesh (3), and others. However, he criticized the media focus on Punjabis, despite the large number of deportees from other states. “Why are interviews of deportees from Gujarat not aired on national television? Only those from Punjab are highlighted. This selective focus is a deliberate attempt to make illegal immigration appear to be an issue exclusive to Punjab,” Mann added.
The Punjab Chief Minister also accused the BJP-led Centre of consistently discriminating against Punjab. “The Centre never misses an opportunity to defame Punjab and its people,” Mann alleged. He reiterated that illegal immigration is a nationwide issue, not limited to Punjab, and that the selective portrayal of deportees from Punjab is both harmful and misleading.
In response, the BJP dismissed Mann’s accusations, labeling them politically motivated. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal urged Mann to refrain from politicizing sensitive national security matters. “AAP leaders, including Mann, are more focused on politics than the security of the country,” Khandelwal stated.
BJP national spokesperson RP Singh explained that Amritsar was the logical choice for the deportation flights, as it is the nearest international airport for incoming flights from the United States. “Mr. Mann should stop promoting conspiracy theories and understand the practical reasons behind this decision. His claims are based on a lack of knowledge,” Singh wrote in a social media post.
Mann further questioned why deportation flights couldn’t land at other major airports, such as those used for high-profile arrivals like former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad or the Rafale jets in Ambala. He argued that this demonstrated flexibility in airport choices for international flights.
In defense of the deportation process, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue in the Rajya Sabha. He emphasized that every country has an obligation to repatriate its nationals found living illegally abroad. He also pointed out that the deportations were carried out under standard US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) procedures, which have been in place since 2012.
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