Sangrur.  Congress candidate from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat Sukhpal Khaira has targeted people coming from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and other states who have made a significant contribution to Punjab's agriculture and industry.

They say that these people will take over Punjab and destroy Punjabi identity. Punjab belongs to Punjabis. Non-Punjabis, that is, people coming from other states, should not have the right to vote here. They should neither get jobs in Punjab nor should they be allowed to build houses.

Issue of Himachal-like law raised

Khaira's statement matches the statement of a Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) candidate, who has been issued notices by election officers of Bathinda and Mansa for making controversial remarks to divide the society. Khaira is trying to incite people against those coming from other states in every election meeting. He is also demanding that just like there is a law in Himachal that a person from other states cannot buy land, there should be a similar law in Punjab so that outsiders cannot occupy Punjab.

Laws made against non-Punjabis

Khaira also said in an election meeting in Khetla village of Didba on Saturday that the way people from Punjab are going abroad and people from other states are coming here, it is clear that in a few years there will be no place for turbaned people in Punjab. Like Himachal, a law should be brought against non-Punjabis in Punjab too. I have also given it in writing to the Assembly Speaker. Khaira said that people from other states should come to Punjab and earn money and then leave.

Congress leader Channi also gave a controversial statement in the year 2022

This is not the first time that a Congress leader has targeted people from other states. In the 2022 assembly elections, the then Chief Minister Charanjit Channi also made a controversial statement. Channi had said in the presence of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who had come to campaign in Rupnagar, that the Punjabis will not allow the brothers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi who want to come and rule Punjab.