AMRITSAR, Feb 15: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to land another flight carrying deported Indians at Amritsar airport, calling it a conspiracy to malign Punjab and Punjabis.
Speaking to the media here, Mann criticised the BJP-led Union government, alleging that despite Punjab’s contributions as India’s “food bowl and sword arm,” the Centre is running a smear campaign against the state. He questioned the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) decision to land deportation flights in Amritsar while several other airports across India were available.
“I have already raised this issue with the MEA and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), but I haven’t received a satisfactory response. One such flight landed a few days ago, and now two more are being sent here without any justification,” he said.
Mann alleged that Punjabis are being unfairly targeted. “The Prime Minister and his party dislike Punjabis, despite the fact that more than 90% of those martyred, jailed, or exiled during India’s freedom struggle were from Punjab,” he remarked.
He also raised security concerns, stating that Amritsar is barely 40 km from a hostile neighbour. “If the government refuses to start international flights from Amritsar citing security reasons, how is it allowing a US military aircraft to land here?” he asked.
The CM asserted that illegal immigration is a national problem but is being portrayed as an issue exclusive to Punjab. “Why is it that the plane carrying former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina could land at Hindon Air Force Station and Rafale jets could land in Ambala, but these deportation flights must land in Amritsar?” he questioned.
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann called him a “self-proclaimed global leader” who has failed to protect Indians’ rights. “While Modi was shaking hands with his friend Donald Trump, Indian citizens were being deported in chains on a military aircraft. The chained Indians being sent back are Trump’s return gift to Modi,” he said.
Mann argued that the Indian government should have sent its own aircraft to bring them back with dignity rather than subjecting them to humiliation. “Punjabis have always stood against the Centre’s regressive policies, which is why the BJP harbours resentment against them and continues to conspire to tarnish their image,” he said.