New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ajay Alok slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on the treatment of Indians being deported from the United States, stating that while they may be considered illegal immigrants by the US, they remain "brothers of India."

"Bhagwant Mann should understand that Punjab is a part of this country. If a flight comes from America, the first state is Punjab. When you cross Lahore, we come to Amritsar. Punjab is not a separate country and will not cause any security threat." Alok told ANI.

Adding that while the United States considers the 119 people being sent on the second deportation flight to India as 'illegal immigrants,' the BJP leader considers them as 'brothers ...