Congress candidate from Sangrur Sukhpal Singh Khaira has sparked a political controversy with his remarks advocating for a Himachal Pradesh-like tenancy law in Punjab, which would impose restrictions on property purchase by outsiders, specifically targeting people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised Khaira’s statements at a public rally, accusing the Congress of harbouring animosity towards people from Bihar. “A Congress leader from Punjab, close to the royal family of the party in Delhi, has said that people from Bihar should be boycotted in Punjab.
The RJD is asking for votes from you while aligning with such a party. They (Congress) have such hatred for people in Bihar in their hearts. Has anyone from the Congress royal family said that such statements are wrong? Here the RJD has blocked their ears,” PM Modi said.
Khaira, in response, clarified that while people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are welcome to work in Punjab, those wishing to settle permanently should meet conditions similar to the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy Act of 1972.
“We welcome people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who come to Punjab for work. If any non-Punjabi wants to start his family here, he is most welcome. But if they want to settle here permanently, they need to follow conditions similar to those in the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy Act,” Khaira said in a video statement.
Khaira emphasised that his proposed legislation is intended to protect Punjab’s demographic and cultural integrity. “To set the record straight, I never mentioned the word Bihari in any of my speeches nor did I call for their boycott.
I’m advocating a law like Himachal Pradesh’s, which bars outsiders from buying land, becoming voters, or applying for government jobs without meeting state-specific conditions. This is to safeguard the identity of Punjabis and prevent demographic changes,” Khaira stated.
