New Delhi: Images of 104 Indians handcuffed and chained on a US military aircraft, being deported to India, have ignited a major political row, with the Opposition mounting strong protests both inside and outside Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close ties with US President Donald Trump, alongside his frequent references to India’s rise as a ‘vishwaguru,’ became prime targets for sharp taunts and criticism.
The Opposition raised many questions in the Rajya Sabha: Why did the US treat the deported Indian nationals like terrorists? Were they provided with counselor access? Will PM Modi raise the issue with President Donald Trump during his forthcoming visit to the US?
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal described it as a “deeply humiliating experience” for India, while Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav mocked those who were “selling dreams” of transforming India into a “vishwaguru” but had fallen silent on this issue.
MPs from several Opposition parties staged a demonstration to protest the treatment of the Indians being deported. Venugopal and SP MP Dharmendra Yadav even wore handcuffs as a symbol of their protest.
As the Opposition raised the heat on the government, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed members from some parties to make short interventions on the matter.
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, who initiated the discussion, alleged that the 104 deported Indians—including 19 women—were handcuffed and shackled at the legs during the 40-hour flight, which had only one washroom.
“Is the government aware that the US is preparing to send back 7.25 lakh Indians in a similar manner? Did the US treat these Indians humanely or like they were terrorists? How many thousands of Indian nationals are languishing in similar conditions in US detention centers? Are they receiving counselor access?” Surjewala asked.
Referring to the “crores” spent on organising the “Howdy Modi” community summit in Texas in 2019, and the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad in 2020, Surjewala criticised the government, saying it should focus on uplifting the state of the economy instead of these extravagant events.
Following a short statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the floor of the Upper House, where he mentioned that “standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft provides for the use of restraints”, TMC MP Saket Gokhale said the minister seemed more focused on “defending the US deportation policy” than speaking up for the rights of Indians.
Gokhale claimed that the number of undocumented Indian migrants in the US has increased by 70 percent between 2011 and 2021, citing a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center.
“When Colombia can send an aircraft and take back its citizens with dignity, what stops us? Why have we not been able to ensure a dignified repatriation process?” the TMC MP said.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) Tiruchi Siva sought to know if the government had reached out to the deported Indian nationals and enquired about their experience. “It’s totally inhuman. They are all Indians. Deportation should happen in a proper manner, why in a military aircraft?” Siva asked.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged that after the US military aircraft landed in Amritsar, the residents of Haryana among the repatriated Indians were transported back to the state in prison vans. “Forget what the US did. Why were they treated like this on their own land?” Singh said.
Some MPs including the RJD’s Manoj Jha sought to know from Jaishankar the measures being taken by the Centre to clamp down on agents and agencies involved in sending Indians to the US through illegal routes. The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut asked if the PM will raise the matter with Trump during his upcoming trip to the US.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took a swipe at the Prime Minister, saying that Modi, “who is said to be good friends with US President Donald Trump”, should not have allowed the US to deport the Indian nationals—33 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, and two from Chandigarh—in handcuffs and shackles.
“A lot of things were said about the very good friendship of President Trump and PM Modi. Then why did PM Modi let this happen? Couldn’t we have sent our own aircraft to bring them back? Is this how humans are treated—handcuffed and shackled? The external affairs minister and the PM should answer,” Vadra told reporters in the Parliament complex.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who also joined the Opposition protests outside the House, told reporters that while the US had every legal right to deport people who are illegally in their country, Indians have an obligation to receive them. “But to send them like this abruptly in a military aircraft and in handcuffs is an insult to India, it’s an insult to the dignity of Indians,” he said.
Also read: I risked everything for America—confinement, torture: Robin Handa returns to Haryana
The deportation
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned soon after the House met as the Opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the issue. Speaker Om Birla requested the Opposition to allow the Question Hour without interruptions, but as protests continued, he adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
“The issue is serious. It is a matter of foreign policy. The government has taken it seriously. The foreign country also has its own rules and regulations. You can raise your issues at 12 noon and allow the Question Hour to run smoothly,” Birla said.
The US military aircraft landed in Amritsar Wednesday.
On Thursday, the US Border Patrol—which comes under the US Customs and Border Protection Agency—also released a video showing the deported Indians in handcuffs and chained at the legs during their deportation.
“USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals,” the US Border Patrol posted on social media.
Also read: Jaishankar tells RS deportation flights ‘not new’, US deported nearly 16,000 Indians since 2009
