Punjab is currently reeling under the devastating impact of floods. Millions have been left homeless, farmers’ crops have been completely destroyed, and industries have been badly hit. In such a difficult time, Punjabis expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to understand their pain and announce a significant relief package. But during his visit to Gurdaspur, the Prime Minister announced only ₹1,600 crores of aid, and what was even more hurtful was his remark — “Don’t you understand Hindi?” — which not only rubbed salt on Punjab’s wounds but also insulted the Punjabi mother tongue.
When Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that the relief amount was too little, PM Modi laughed and replied — “Don’t you understand Hindi? I’ve already declared ₹1,600 crores.” To this, Mundian gave a clear response — “I do understand Hindi, but the money is too little.” This incident clearly shows that the central government treated Punjab’s grave crisis as a joke. It was not only an insult to the people of Punjab but also to the Punjabi language itself.
AAP’s Punjab State President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora strongly stated — “Modi Ji has played a cruel joke on Punjab. Against losses exceeding ₹20,000 crores, giving only ₹1,600 crores is not healing the wounds, but sprinkling salt on them.” He further said that the Centre has withheld Punjab’s ₹60,000 crore funds, which must be released immediately. According to him, the Prime Minister’s visit was limited to photo sessions and political stunts.
Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal called this relief package a “big joke”, while Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said — “After 30 days, Modi Ji remembered Punjab and threw just ₹1,600 crores, which is like a drop in the ocean.”
Even BJP’s own leader, Ravneet Bittu, admitted that Modi Ji’s remark was insulting to the Punjabi language. Though he later tried to clarify, the people of Punjab saw it as a direct attack on their dignity.
The AAP government has once again demanded that the Centre announce a significant relief package to compensate for losses exceeding ₹20,000 crores and immediately release the withheld funds of Punjab.
The Aam Aadmi Party government said that just as Punjab has always been at the forefront — from the freedom struggle to feeding the nation’s granaries — today too, Punjab stands firmly with its people. Even if the central government has ignored them, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government will remain a pillar of support for every flood-affected family, boost the morale of farmers, and safeguard the pride of Punjabis.
