Congress activists burn effigy of Central Government

Activists of the Block Congress Committee, led by MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, staged a protest and burnt an effigy of the BJP-led Central Government in Phagwara on Saturday. The demonstration was in response to the recent deportation of Indian nationals from the USA.

Speaking to the media, Dhaliwal blamed the inefficiency and failed policies of the BJP-led Central Government for pushing Indian youth to seek livelihoods abroad, particularly in countries like the USA. He condemned the actions of the US government for deporting Indians in handcuffs, calling it a direct violation of human rights. Dhaliwal also criticised the Indian government for its silence on the issue, alleging that it had failed to react to the “inhuman” treatment by the US authorities. He further accused the Centre of strategically having the deportation flight land in Amritsar rather than another city, claiming this was done to defame Punjab and shield the BJP from any negative political fallout ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections.

Protesters raised slogans against the BJP government, demanding accountability for its failure to address the issues of unemployment and the mistreatment of Indian citizens abroad.