Chandigarh: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state general secretary Anil Sarin has hit back at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his claims that the US deportation flight carrying 104 undocumented Indians was deliberately landed in Amritsar to tarnish Punjab’s image.
CM Mann had alleged that Amritsar was “deliberately chosen” to create the perception that Punjabis are the majority of illegal immigrants. However, refuting his claim, Sarin stated, “The people who have been deported and are returning to India—there is no doubt that most of them are from Punjab. In the first plane of about 100 passengers, 33 were from Punjab, and in the plane of 119 arriving today, 66 are from Punjab.”
#WATCH | On Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's statement regarding flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants from the US to Amritsar, Anil Sarin, BJP's state general secretary says, "The people who have been deported and are coming to India, there is no doubt that most of them are from… pic.twitter.com/LpGb3quaLW
— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025
Ministers React to Deportation Controversy
The deportation of illegal Indian immigrants has sparked political debate. BJP leader Uma Bharti condemned the manner in which Indian nationals were deported, calling it inhumane. “Illegal Indian immigrants being sent back from America in handcuffs and shackles is extremely shameful and a blot on humanity,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on February 15.
Bharti further criticized the US government’s treatment of deportees, stating, “This cruel and violent attitude has been displayed many times by American governments towards Native Americans and people of African origin.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema echoed CM Mann’s concerns, accusing the NDA-led central government of targeting Punjab. “Why not Haryana or Gujarat? This is clearly an attempt by the BJP to tarnish Punjab’s image. This aircraft should land in Ahmedabad instead,” he said, as per an India Today report.
More Deportation Flights Expected
According to reports, two more flights carrying undocumented Indian immigrants are expected to land in Amritsar this week, further fueling the political controversy. The issue has drawn widespread attention, with opposition leaders questioning the Centre’s role in handling the deportations and its alleged bias against Punjab.