After MEA’s criticism, Bhagwant Mann repeats his remarks on Modi in Punjab Assembly

A day after the Ministry of External Affairs disapproved of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s remarks on PM Narendra Modi’s foreign visit, Mann on Friday repeated the comments on the floor of the Punjab Assembly.

Twice in the House, he conveyed that there was “discrimination against Punjab”. He even referred to the “online crusade” against the film by Diljit Dosanjh which has a Pakistani actress, saying, “They (the Centre) should not play games with us. Aap tan Pakistan ja ke biryani kha aaye si.”

Participating in a discussion on the resolution presented before the House to reject deployment of central forces at the BBMB dams, Mann said the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, when he, as a citizen, questioned the foreign policy of the BJP-led central government.

“I again say that the PM goes to Magnesia, Galvesia, Tarvesia. Their population is less than 10,000 and claims to get their highest civilian honour. The number of people who reside in these countries are equal to the number of people who gather when a JCB is deployed for work in India. There are 140 crore people in India, and he should think of their welfare,” said Mann.

On Thursday evening, the MEA had called his statements made on Wednesday and Thursday as regrettable and irresponsible. “They do not behove the state authority and the government distances itself from these statements that undermine India’s ties with other friendly countries,” said the MEA statement.

Mann said, “They call him (referring to the PM, but not naming him) Vishwaguru. But he wasn’t even invited for the swearing-in ceremony (referring to US President’s swearing-in). The BJP claims that he got the war stopped between Russia and Ukraine. Then why can’t he stop the fight between two states? They must remember that they are getting food only because of Punjab and Haryana. But they still make us fight.”

“Punjab’s soil is fertile but hatred won’t grow here,” he said.