Why US deportation flights to Amritsar have touched off a firestorm in Punjab

The first flight from the US carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants – 33 each from Gujarat and Haryana and 30 from Punjab – had also landed in Amritsar on February 5, triggering protests by Opposition parties in and outside Parliament over the “inhuman treatment” of those onboard. The Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AAP, had pointed out that the Indian deportees were flown in a US military plane and were “handcuffed and shackled”.

A third such flight of illegal Indian immigrants from the US is also set to arrive on February 16.

Pointing to the Centre’s decision to choose Amritsar as the landing site of these planes, CM Mann alleged a “smear campaign” against Punjab over the issue, saying that “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.”

The controversy surrounding the deportee flights comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. “While Modi was shaking hands with his friend (US president) 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,” Mann alleged.

The AAP leader had earlier also reacted to the first flight, saying, “It is a matter of great shame for our country that America sends our citizens in handcuffs and shackles. Instead of applying balm on the wounds of Indians deported from America… Modi’s Haryana government is taking them in police prisoner vans. It is like rubbing salt in their wounds.”

Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, had earlier echoed similar concerns after the first flight had landed, calling it an “anti-Punjab stance” aimed at “defaming” the state.

Apart from the AAP, a section of farmers and civil society organisations has also targeted the BJP for being allegedly “biased” against Punjab over various issues. “Because Punjab does not have a BJP-majority government, they repeatedly make us feel sidelined,” said Sukhwinder Kaur, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), a constituent of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) protesting at the Shambhu border to demand a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, coordinator of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), linked the issue of illegal migration to Punjab’s economic distress. “We must analyse why people are leaving Punjab in the first place. Agriculture is not profitable, and youngsters have no choice but to migrate for better opportunities. Our demand for a legal guarantee of MSP is aimed at ensuring self-employment, not just in Punjab but across India,” he said while addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat at the Khanauri border on February 12.

BJP leaders, however, dismissed the AAP’s claims, accusing the party of deflecting attention from real issues. “Is Amritsar not a part of the country? Rather than focusing on where the flight is landing, the Punjab CM should address the root cause – why illegal migration is happening in the first place. Would the facts change if the flight landed elsewhere?” said Punjab BJP vice-president Subhash Sharma.

Sharma criticised the AAP, saying the party is building a “false narrative” instead of working for Punjab’s development. “People already rejected Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi because he focused on non-issues. Punjab will do the same to the AAP soon.”

BJP leaders also argued that their party, under the leadership of Modi, has done significant work for Punjab. Highlighting the conviction on Wednesday of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the state BJP lauded the Centre for ensuring justice in long-pending cases. State BJP president Sunil Jakhar even suggested passing a resolution in Parliament thanking Modi for his commitment to Sikh sentiments.

Former Ludhiana BJP district president Pushpinder Singh refuted allegations that BJP is “anti-Punjab”. “The AAP is the one working against Punjab’s interests. That’s why they lost even in Delhi. The Modi government has always prioritised Punjab and its people. Initiatives like ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ in memory of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Chhote Sahibzade have helped spread Punjab’s rich history across India. The BJP also facilitated the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, another historic step for Punjabis,” he said.

However, concerns have been raised over the flight row from different quarters. “No matter what the BJP claims, people here know the truth. It doesn’t matter if you are a daily wager or earning a six-figure salary – seeing only Amritsar being chosen for deportee flights irks everyone,” a Ludhiana-based immigration consultant said.

Another Ludhiana resident, Jaskirat Singh, a software engineer, expressed frustration over the matter. “If deportee flights keep landing in Amritsar, the message will go out that Punjabis form the bulk of illegal immigrants, which is not true. Deportees are from all over India. The national capital should have been chosen to avoid controversy,” he said.

“On one hand, Modi tries to impress Punjabi NRIs in the US, but on the other, Punjabis are being defamed here. Farmers have been protesting on highways for over a year, demanding their rights. Is this why Punjab is being targeted?” said a Ludhiana-based financial consultant.