Bhagwant Mann’s Remarks on Amritsar Landing Spark Political Firestorm; BJP Accuses Him of ‘Degrading Punjab’

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s criticism of the Centre’s decision to land deported Indian migrants from the US in Amritsar has ignited a major political controversy. The BJP has hit back, accusing Mann of “degrading his state” and politicizing a sensitive issue.

Mann Questions Centre’s Decision

Mann questioned the Ministry of External Affairs over the criteria used to select Amritsar as the landing site for the US military aircraft carrying deported Indian immigrants. Suggesting a possible attempt to tarnish Punjab’s image, he remarked, “You select Amritsar to defame Punjab… At the same time when PM Modi and (then US President) Trump were meeting, US officials were putting shackles on our people. Is this Trump’s gift to India?”

BJP Hits Back

The BJP swiftly retaliated, with several leaders criticizing Mann for politicizing the issue.

• BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of prioritizing politics over national security.
• BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed fraudulent travel agents for exploiting Punjab’s youth, forcing them to sell their land to fund illegal migration. He accused the Punjab government of allowing such agents to operate unchecked. “AAP should reflect on how they’ve destroyed Punjab. Instead of ensuring jobs, they are creating drama,” Sirsa said.
• Punjab BJP Vice President Fatehjung Singh Bajwa criticized Mann for failing to act against illegal immigration networks, pointing out that 67 of the deportees in the second batch are from Punjab. He warned that politicizing the issue could harm Punjab’s reputation.
• BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh challenged Mann to acknowledge Punjab’s high share of deportees and questioned why his government had failed to curb illegal migration.
• Jaiveer Shergill, another BJP spokesperson, accused Mann of failing to create jobs and take action against fraudulent immigration agents. “Instead of asking questions, he should answer why Punjab’s youth are forced to leave in the first place,” he stated.

Congress Also Joins the Criticism

Surprisingly, even some Congress leaders criticized Mann’s remarks.

• Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla dismissed Mann’s statement as “headline-seeking and meaningless.” He noted that Punjab’s large Non-Resident Indian (NRI) population plays a vital role in the economy and argued that landing the flight in Amritsar was not defaming the state.
• Aujla further stated that mass migration to Europe and the UAE reflects broader economic issues, which both the BJP and AAP need to address.

BJP Calls Out Mann’s Comments on Modi

The BJP also condemned Mann’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with state general secretary Anil Sarin slamming the Punjab CM for his tone and accusations.

Bigger Debate on Jobs and Migration

Beyond the political battle, the controversy has sparked a larger debate on unemployment, illegal migration, and governance in Punjab. BJP leaders argue that a lack of job opportunities under the AAP government is forcing youth to migrate illegally, while Mann insists that Punjab is being unfairly targeted.