Punjab CM Channi sparks controversy with his derogatory comment on ‘bhaiyas’ from UP; P.M. Modi reacts 

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal terms Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in the rally as evidence of her “double face.” 

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi appealed to voters at a roadshow in Rupnagar to not allow ‘bhaiyas’ from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi to enter the state. Channi’s derogatory comment on outsiders has sparked an enormous controversy, with heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him out on his insensitive statement.  

‘Bhaiya’ is a derogatory slang used in Punjab to refer to migrant workers from U.P. and Bihar. Congress party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra applauded beside C.M. Channi as he made these comments. Consequently, she too became the butt of widespread criticism from Opposition parties.  

As he made his appeals to vote for the Congress, C.M. Channi said, “Priyanka Gandhi is Punjab’s daughter-in-law, she is the ‘bahu’ of Punjabis. ‘Bhaiyas’ from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi cannot come here and rule. We will not allow UP ‘bhaiyas’ to stray into Punjab. Supporters cheered, “Bole so Nihal…” as Priyanka Gandhi smiled and clapped on. 

Kejriwal and Mann condemn Punjab CM Channi’s remarks: 

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal who has been campaigning fiercely in Punjab, expressed his condemnation for Channi’s statement, calling it “very shameful.” “We strongly condemn comments aimed at any individual or any particular community,” Kejriwal said. 

When AAP’s face for the post of Chief Minister in Punjab, Bhagwant Mann pointed out that Priyanka Gandhi is herself from U.P., Kejriwal ended up retorting that she, too, is a ‘bhaiya’, in that case.  

Fiery retorts from heavyweights of the BJP fold: 

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya took the opportunity to attack the Congress as he shared the video of punjab CM Channi’s remarks. In his tweet, he targeted Priyanka Gandhi: “Priyanka Vadra goes to Uttar Pradesh and calls herself UP ki beti (daughter of U.P.). And when UP-Bihar people are insulted in Punjab, she claps. This is her double face.”  

Further, BJP’s In-charge of I.T. cell Amit Malviya commented that CM Channi’s comment was an insult to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and alleged that the Congress Party was trying to divide the people of India.  

On the other hand, BJP leader and Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Bhupendar Yadav, tweeted, “First Rahul Gandhi said India isn’t a nation. Now Priyanka Vadra cheers CM Charanjit Channi’s call to boycott people from U.P. and Bihar. The work to divide India has been an ongoing project for Congress’s first family. That is why India is rejecting them State after State.”  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi added fuel to fire, asking if Congress wanted to convey that they would not allow Sant Ravidas and Guru Govind Singh in Punjab into Punjab since both were born in areas outside of Punjab. Sant Ravidas was born in U.P.’s Kashi, and Guru Govind Singh was born in Patna, Bihar. 

P.M. Modi said, “Congress always pits people of one region against others… The entire country heard what Punjab Chief Minister said yesterday, and his Delhi family, his ‘malik,’ was clapping… There will not be any village here where our brothers and sisters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are not toiling.” P.M. Modi further alleged that such a party should not rule Punjab. 

Punjab elections are scheduled to be held on February 20, while results will be announced on March 10. 

Edited By : Atreyee Chakraborty

Published By : K. Bindhiya Prarthana