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New Delhi’, February 6: On Wednesday, Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a protest demanding a discussion in Parliament regarding the recent deportation of over 100 Indian nationals from the United States. Several MPs, including Amritsar MP Gurujit Singh Aujla, joined the protest while sporting handcuffs, symbolizing the inhumane treatment faced by the deportees.
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla expressed his concerns, stating, “The way they were brought back was wrong. They were humiliated, their hands and feet were chained. Since our government knew they were being deported, they should have arranged a commercial flight to bring them back.”
Aujla further added, “Although they went there illegally, they didn’t commit any major crimes. We have submitted a notice to the Speaker, and there may be a discussion on this issue.”
In a show of solidarity, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and other leaders also participated in the protest, wearing handcuffs and standing outside the main door of Parliament. They carried placards reading, “humans, not prisoners,” condemning the mistreatment of Indian citizens during their deportation from the US.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the government’s silence, stating, “The same people who promised to make India a Vishwaguru are silent now. Indian citizens are deported in shackles like slaves under inhumane conditions. What is the External Affairs Ministry doing? What has the government done to protect women and children from such disrespect? We demand answers and a discussion in Parliament.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also raised questions about the government’s handling of the situation, remarking, “Many claimed that President Trump and PM Modi are good friends. Why then did PM Modi allow this to happen? Couldn’t we have sent our own aircraft to bring them back? Why were they treated like this, handcuffed and shackled?”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi shared his disappointment, saying, “I’m deeply disheartened by the conduct of the American government. While the US and India share good relations, the manner in which they sent over 100 Indian nationals back handcuffed in a military plane is absolutely inhumane. I’m surprised the PM and MEA remain silent on this matter.”
In response to the issue, Congress submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, calling for an urgent discussion on the deportation of Indian nationals from the US. The motion urged the House to address the issue to prevent further dehumanization and to uphold the dignity of Indian citizens, both at home and abroad.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm following a ruckus on the issue. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that he would address the Rajya Sabha later in the day.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also weighed in, stating that deportations were not new, but the method used to return these individuals was unnecessarily harsh. “If individuals are in the US illegally, the country has the right to deport them. However, it was not necessary to bring them back forcibly in a military plane. A commercial flight would have been far more humane,” Tharoor said. He added that although deportees may have violated immigration laws, they were not criminals and deserved to be treated with respect.
Tharoor also pointed out that over 1,100 Indians were deported last year under the Biden administration, emphasizing that deportations should not be carried out in such a demeaning manner.
In a tweet, Tharoor provided additional context, stating, “There were 1,100 Indians deported in the previous fiscal year under Biden, not Trump. As of 2022, there were 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, the third-largest group after Mexico and El Salvador.”
The US Embassy responded to inquiries about the deportation, stating that while specific details could not be shared, the US is vigorously enforcing its border and immigration laws. A spokesperson clarified that the actions taken by the US send a clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk.
New Delhi [India], February 6: On Wednesday, Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a protest demanding a discussion in Parliament regarding the recent deportation of over 100 Indian nationals from the United States. Several MPs, including Amritsar MP Gurujit Singh Aujla, joined the protest while sporting handcuffs, symbolizing the inhumane treatment faced by the deportees.
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla expressed his concerns, stating, “The way they were brought back was wrong. They were humiliated, their hands and feet were chained. Since our government knew they were being deported, they should have arranged a commercial flight to bring them back.”
Aujla further added, “Although they went there illegally, they didn’t commit any major crimes. We have submitted a notice to the Speaker, and there may be a discussion on this issue.”
In a show of solidarity, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and other leaders also participated in the protest, wearing handcuffs and standing outside the main door of Parliament. They carried placards reading, “humans, not prisoners,” condemning the mistreatment of Indian citizens during their deportation from the US.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the government’s silence, stating, “The same people who promised to make India a Vishwaguru are silent now. Indian citizens are deported in shackles like slaves under inhumane conditions. What is the External Affairs Ministry doing? What has the government done to protect women and children from such disrespect? We demand answers and a discussion in Parliament.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also raised questions about the government’s handling of the situation, remarking, “Many claimed that President Trump and PM Modi are good friends. Why then did PM Modi allow this to happen? Couldn’t we have sent our own aircraft to bring them back? Why were they treated like this, handcuffed and shackled?”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi shared his disappointment, saying, “I’m deeply disheartened by the conduct of the American government. While the US and India share good relations, the manner in which they sent over 100 Indian nationals back handcuffed in a military plane is absolutely inhumane. I’m surprised the PM and MEA remain silent on this matter.”
In response to the issue, Congress submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, calling for an urgent discussion on the deportation of Indian nationals from the US. The motion urged the House to address the issue to prevent further dehumanization and to uphold the dignity of Indian citizens, both at home and abroad.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm following a ruckus on the issue. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that he would address the Rajya Sabha later in the day.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also weighed in, stating that deportations were not new, but the method used to return these individuals was unnecessarily harsh. “If individuals are in the US illegally, the country has the right to deport them. However, it was not necessary to bring them back forcibly in a military plane. A commercial flight would have been far more humane,” Tharoor said. He added that although deportees may have violated immigration laws, they were not criminals and deserved to be treated with respect.
Tharoor also pointed out that over 1,100 Indians were deported last year under the Biden administration, emphasizing that deportations should not be carried out in such a demeaning manner.
In a tweet, Tharoor provided additional context, stating, “There were 1,100 Indians deported in the previous fiscal year under Biden, not Trump. As of 2022, there were 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, the third-largest group after Mexico and El Salvador.”
The US Embassy responded to inquiries about the deportation, stating that while specific details could not be shared, the US is vigorously enforcing its border and immigration laws. A spokesperson clarified that the actions taken by the US send a clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk.
