Amritsar (Punjab) [India], February 15: Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla has dismissed the recent criticism by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the deportation of Indian citizens from the United States, calling it an attempt to gain media attention rather than a substantial issue.
In a conversation with ANI, Aujla defended Punjab’s image and highlighted the important contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to both the state’s economy and the well-being of Punjabis living abroad. He criticized CM Mann’s statements as being designed to create headlines, stating, “What Bhagwant Mann said was merely to create headlines. It was all meaningless. The flight should have been landed in Delhi. Punjab is not getting defamed in any way.”
The Congress MP further emphasized the economic importance of NRIs in Punjab, noting their positive influence on the state’s economy. He also raised concerns about the lack of efforts from both the BJP and AAP governments to address the rising trend of emigration from Punjab. He questioned what measures the state government was taking to provide employment opportunities and improve law and order, which he believed could help curb the ongoing emigration crisis. “What are the governments doing to stop such large-scale emigration? What has the state government done to employ our people, and what is the state’s law and order?” Aujla asked.
Earlier, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann had criticized the Centre over the deportation of Indian citizens who allegedly migrated to the US illegally. Mann claimed that the decision to land the deportation flights in Amritsar was a deliberate attempt to portray Punjabis as the only group involved in illegal migration. He questioned why the flights could not land in Ahmedabad or Delhi, emphasizing the proximity of Amritsar to Pakistan, a neighboring country.
“I will strictly oppose this. I demand to the MEA and the MHA that the plane is still onboard, change the route and make it land in Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad,” CM Mann stated.