Mann Accuses Centre of Targeting Punjab Over Deportation Flights. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the central government of deliberately targeting Punjab by selecting Amritsar as the landing site for deportation flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants from the United States. He alleged that despite a significant number of deportees being from other states, Punjab is being singled out to tarnish its image.
A flight carrying 119 deported Indian nationals is scheduled to arrive at Amritsar Airport at 10 PM today. Among them, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. This comes amid political controversy over a previous deportation flight, which transported 104 Indian migrants in shackles on a US military aircraft.
Mann questioned the Centre’s decision to designate Amritsar as the arrival point, alleging political motives. “The Ministry of External Affairs must clarify why Amritsar was chosen. The Centre is trying to defame Punjab. When Narendra Modi and Donald Trump were meeting, our people were being shackled. Is this the gift Trump has given?” he said.
The Punjab Chief Minister accused the BJP-led government of discrimination, claiming it consistently targets Punjab. “This is a conspiracy to malign Punjabis,” he added.
The BJP has dismissed Mann’s allegations, accusing him of politicizing the issue. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, “Bhagwant Mann should not play politics over such sensitive matters. AAP leaders prioritize political narratives over national security.”
BJP national spokesperson RP Singh defended the decision to land flights in Amritsar, stating, “Amritsar is the closest international airport for flights from the US. That is why these aircraft are landing there. Bhagwant Mann, stop spreading conspiracy theories due to your lack of knowledge.”
Mann alleged that media coverage disproportionately focuses on Punjab’s deportees. “Have you seen any interviews of deportees from Gujarat on national television? Only Punjab’s youth are being highlighted. We strongly object to this targeting,” he said.
He also questioned why deportation flights are not directed to other major airports. “If a plane carrying former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can land at Hindon in Ghaziabad, and Rafale jets from France can land in Ambala, why can’t deportation flights land in Delhi?” he asked.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking in the Rajya Sabha last week, defended the Centre’s stance, stating that every country is obligated to take back its nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad. He said the deportations were conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under procedures in place since 2012.
