Chandigarh, Sept. 12 — “Don’t you understand Hindi?” — a remark by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Gurdaspur — has “rubbed salt on Punjab’s wounds” and insulted the Punjabi mother tongue, AAP’s Punjab state president and cabinet minister Aman Arora said as he strongly criticised the Centre’s ₹1,600-crore relief announcement for flood-hit areas.
Arora called the Prime Minister’s statement a “cruel joke” against the backdrop of what he said were losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore.
“Against such massive devastation, giving only ₹1,600 crores is not healing the wounds but sprinkling salt on them,” he said, adding that the Centre continues to withhold ₹60,000 crore owed to Punjab.
AAP alleged that when Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian pointed out that the aid was too little, Modi laughed and said, “Don’t you understand Hindi? I’ve already declared ₹1,600 crores.” Mundian replied that he understood Hindi well enough, but the amount was grossly inadequate.
AAP leaders said the exchange reflected the Centre’s dismissive attitude towards Punjab’s suffering.
Moreover, Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal described the relief as a “big joke,” while Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema remarked, “After 30 days, Modi Ji remembered Punjab and threw just ₹1,600 crores, which is like a drop in the ocean.”
Even BJP’s Ravneet Bittu conceded that the Prime Minister’s words sounded insulting to Punjabi before later attempting to clarify, Arora said.
Arora further said Modi’s Gurdaspur trip was “limited to photo sessions and political stunts” rather than genuine concern for flood victims.
He reiterated the demand for a significant package that matches the scale of the damage and immediate release of pending state funds.
Drawing on Punjab’s history, AAP said the state has always stood at the forefront, from the freedom struggle to feeding the nation’s granaries, and now its own people must not be left to fend for themselves.
“The Mann government will continue to be a pillar of strength for every flood-affected family and protect the pride of Punjabis,” the party statement read.
