Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla. File photo
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Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Saturday (February 15, 2025) dismissed Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s recent criticism of the Centre over the deportation of Indian citizens from the US, calling it a mere attempt to grab headlines and lacking substance.

Also read: Second batch of U.S. deportees from U.S. to reach Amritsar on February 15; third plane expected on February 16

Speaking to ANI, Mr. Aujla defended Punjab’s reputation, emphasising the significant contributions of NRIs to the State’s economy and the well-being of Punjabis abroad. “What Bhagwat 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. Punjab has a lot of NRIs, and they contribute to our economy in a big way. Punjabis are living a happy life abroad,” he said.

The Congress MP questioned the State government’s efforts to address large-scale emigration and create job opportunities, urging both the BJP and AAP governments to focus on improving law and order and employment prospects in Punjab to curb the ongoing exodus. “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? Because the people of Punjab are economically well-off, they prefer to go to the US. Indians have emigrated in large numbers to Europe and UAE as well. This shows the condition of our country. The BJP and AAP government should look into it,” Mr. Aujla said.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann came hard on the Centre over the deportation of Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the United States, and said that Amritsar is being chosen deliberately to portray that only Punjabis are illegal migrants. .

He questioned the Centre as to why Ahmedabad or any other place was not chosen.

“Sheikh Hasina landed in Hindon, Ghaziabad. Why can these (Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US) be landed in Hindon? They should be landed in the National Capital” CM Mann said.