Opposition Protests US Deportation of Indians, Calls Treatment “Inhuman”

Opposition Protests US Deportation of Indians, Calls Treatment “Inhuman”

The deportation of 104 Indian immigrants by the United States has sparked a political storm in India, with opposition leaders denouncing the treatment of deportees as “inhuman.” The deportees, returned on a US military aircraft, were reportedly shackled in handcuffs and leg irons, a practice that opposition parties argue is degrading and unacceptable.

#WATCH | MPs of the opposition parties including Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hold a protest outside the parliament over the issue of deportation of alleged illegal Indian… pic.twitter.com/aUCpbEOK1Q

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2025

Opposition lawmakers staged a protest outside the Parliament building, displaying placards with slogans such as “Humans, Not Prisoners” while wearing handcuffs in solidarity with the deportees. They demanded an urgent discussion in Parliament and sought a response from the government on its stance regarding the treatment of Indian citizens deported under stringent US immigration policies.

Military Aircraft Deportations Draw Ire

Previously, the US had used chartered commercial flights to deport undocumented immigrants, typically without shackles. However, the recent shift to military aircraft has been viewed as a strong signal from the Trump administration regarding its hardline stance on immigration. The US government has increasingly relied on military resources to execute deportation orders, using military bases to house migrants and now deploying aircraft for removals.

Reports suggest that over 20,000 undocumented Indians in the US remain subject to deportation orders. The issue has gained momentum with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of failing to protect the rights of Indian citizens abroad.

Opposition Disrupts Parliament Over Deportation Row

The protest spilled over into Parliament, where opposition MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, and the Communist Party of India submitted adjournment notices under Rule 267, demanding a discussion on the deportations. However, these notices were rejected, leading to heated exchanges in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh struck down remarks from protesting MPs, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attempted to pacify lawmakers, emphasizing that the deportation process followed US laws and foreign policy. “The foreign country also has its own rules and regulations…” he stated, before adjourning the House amid continuing uproar.

“Degrading” Treatment Condemned

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi strongly criticized the deportation process, calling it “degrading.” His party colleague Renuka Chowdhury alleged, “For 40 hours, these Indians were handcuffed, had their legs chained, and even struggled to use the washroom.”

The Congress also pressed for an official statement from Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on the government’s position and the steps taken to address the concerns raised. Mr. Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha at 2 PM, addressing the diplomatic implications and India’s response.

Political Tensions Ahead of Modi’s Speech and US Visit

The opposition’s aggressive stance appears to be a strategic move ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled speech in the Rajya Sabha after 4 PM. His previous address in the Lok Sabha saw him launching an expected political attack on opposition parties.

The controversy also unfolds just days before Mr. Modi’s visit to Washington, D.C., where he is set to meet President Donald Trump on February 12. With immigration being a key issue in US-India relations, the deportation matter is likely to feature in discussions between the two leaders.

Deportation Flights Expand Beyond India

The recent deportations are part of a broader US policy, with hundreds of migrants being sent back to their home countries. Some deportations have taken place under contentious circumstances, as seen in Colombia, where deportees were also shackled aboard US military aircraft. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the practice and initially refused further flights, prompting President Trump to retaliate with 25% tariffs on Colombian goods. Under economic pressure, Colombia later agreed to send its own Air Force planes to repatriate its citizens.

Similarly, Guatemala has agreed to accept 40% more deportation flights, according to President Bernardo Arevalo.

Indian Deportees Land in Amritsar

The US military aircraft that landed in Amritsar carrying deported Indian nationals included individuals from multiple states:

• 33 from Gujarat
• 33 from Haryana
• 30 from Punjab
• 3 from Maharashtra
• 3 from Uttar Pradesh
• 2 from Chandigarh

The Indian government has stated that it will accept the deportees after verifying their details. However, the opposition remains adamant that the treatment meted out to these individuals must be formally condemned and that diplomatic efforts should be made to prevent such actions in the future.

As the debate rages on, the government’s response in Parliament and the Prime Minister’s upcoming discussions with President Trump will be closely watched.