Controversy Swirls Over Channi’s ‘UP-Bihar Bhaiya’ Jibe

Just days ahead of the polls, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has said “don’t let UP, Bihar ke bhaiya enter Punjab”. While he made the remark, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could be seen standing by him on stage, smiling and applauding.

The BJP has now hit back, saying the Chief Minister has insulted people from UP and Bihar. The BJP said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has insulted the people of UP where the Congress is fighting the polls. “So UP mein it is ‘ladki hoon lad sakti hoon’ and Punjab mein it is ‘UP ke bhaiya ko bahar bhagao’. What Channi said is shameful enough, PVG laughing & cheering is even worse. Shows you that they only want to divide & rule!” tweeted Charu Pragya.

Asked about Channi’s viral “bhaiya” exhorting voters not to let “Bhaiya” (people) from UP, Bihar and Delhi enter Punjab, spokesperson and AICC In-charge, Media and Communication, Pawan Khera, said, “Opposition is just so busy in making a mountain out of molehill. That statement, if clearly heard and understood, was meant for the Aam Aadmi Party and its workers. They came here from outside and are trying to create religious based disturbances in Punjab. Anyone can come here, but not at cost of disturbing brotherhood thread of Punjab. CM Channi was addressing that particular word to AAP”.

Channi, while addressing the public, said: “UP de, Bihar de, Delhi de bhaiye aak eite raj naikarde”. To put the matter in context, the word “Bhaiye” is “used to taunt North Indians”. In Maharashtra, during the era of Bal Thackeray, the people of UP-Bihar were called “Bhaiya”; since then, this word has become like a taunt for the people of UP.

On Tuesday, Charanjit Singh Channi, along with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, addressed a rally in Ropar, district Rupnagar, Punjab. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached Rupnagar with Channi on Tuesday. After the rally, she came to the stage. He started his speech and said: “Use intelligence. It’s election time. I don’t want to say long things. But the people of Punjab, sisters and brothers, know what is right in front of you. You have a lot of discretion. There is wisdom. Use that wisdom… Those who come from outside, teach them in your Punjab what is Punjabiyat.” Just after this, Channi uttered the “bhaiya” word for the people of UP, Bihar and Delhi.

After Channi’s statement, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal said: “It is very shameful. We strongly condemn comments aimed at any individual or any particular community. Priyanka Gandhi also belongs to UP so she is also a ‘bhaiya’.”

(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)