‘It Hasn't Just Upset Me…’: Shatrughan Sinha on Punjab CM Channi’s ‘UP-Bihar Ke Bhaiya’ Remark

Sinha, who joined the Congress in 2019, said the public figures must watch their choice of words and language.

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Taking potshots at Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for his ‘UP-Bihar ke bhaiya’ remark, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday said it has not just upset him but hurt many people from other states.

Sinha, who joined the Congress in 2019, said the public figures must watch their choice of words and language.

“Though, CM, Punjab @CHARANJITCHANNI has already clarified and @priyankagandhi has already supported the clarification. But, still being a public figure, our friend Channi, presently the CM, must know how to conduct himself. Public figures must watch their choice of words &," Sinha tweeted.

"language. Being a Bihari Babu, it hasn't just upset me but hurt many people from other States, UP, Bihar & Delhi too. Jai Hind!” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform.

Channi, who drew flak from across the political spectrum for his remarks, clarified the same earlier on Thursday stating that his statement was being misconstrued.

"My statement is being misconstrued. All migrant workers who came to Punjab till date, have toiled and taken it on path to development. We have only love for them, nobody can change it," news agency ANI quoted Channi as saying.

"I was talking about people who come from outside and create disruptions here. Punjab is as much of the people of UP-Bihar, Rajasthan and elsewhere, who come here and work, as much as it is ours. So, it is not right to present it in any other manner," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Channi stoked a controversy by saying “do not let UP and Bihar ke bhaiya enter Punjab”.

“Priyanka Gandhi is Punjab's daughter-in-law, she is the bahu of Punjabis. Bhaiyas from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi cannot come here and rule. We will not allow UP bhaiyas to stray into Punjab,” he said at an election rally in Punjab.

Voting for the Punjab Assembly will be held in a single phase on February 20.

The results will be declared on March 10.