India Parliament Erupts Over Alleged Mistreatment of Deported Indian Migrants

India’s Parliament was thrown into chaos on Thursday as opposition lawmakers launched fierce protests over the alleged mistreatment of 104 Indian immigrants deported by the United States. The protests erupted following reports that the deportees were shackled with handcuffs and leg chains during their flight back to India, drawing widespread condemnation and sparking a heated political debate.

U.S. Military Flight Deports 104 Indians Amid Crackdown

A U.S. military aircraft carrying the deported migrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday, marking the first such large-scale deportation under stringent immigration policies initiated by the Trump administration. The use of a military flight, instead of commercial or chartered planes, has raised questions about the treatment of deportees and the justification for such extreme measures.

Jaspal Singh, one of the deportees, described the ordeal as inhumane. “We were restrained for almost 40 hours, unable to move. It was only upon landing in India that our handcuffs and chains were removed,” he said.

Another deportee, Harvinder Singh, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the experience felt “worse than hell.”

Opposition Lawmakers Demand Accountability

Renuka Chowdhury, a senior Congress Party leader, lambasted the treatment of deported Indian migrants, calling it a violation of human dignity. “Handcuffing them, chaining their legs—this is not how humans should be treated. This is degrading,” she said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi joined the protests, urging the government to take a strong stand against such practices. “We need answers. Why were our citizens subjected to such humiliation?” he questioned.

The uproar forced Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings as opposition members chanted slogans and demanded an urgent discussion on the issue. Outside Parliament, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi led a demonstration where lawmakers wore handcuffs and held placards reading, “Humans, not prisoners.”

Gandhi took to social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Indians deserve dignity and humanity, NOT handcuffs.”

Government’s Response: No Change in U.S. Deportation Protocols

In response to the escalating outrage, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addressed Parliament, clarifying that the U.S. had followed existing protocols. “There has been no change in procedure since 2012 for such deportation flights. The U.S. authorities have assured us that women and children are not restrained,” he stated.

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized that while Bharat remains committed to preventing illegal immigration, it is also engaging with U.S. officials to ensure deportees are treated with dignity. He pointed out that 15,668 Indian nationals have been deported from the U.S. since 2009, underscoring the ongoing nature of such repatriations.

The Growing Concern Over Indian Migration to the U.S.

Illegal migration from India to the U.S. has surged in recent years, particularly along the U.S.-Canada border. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, over 14,000 Indians were apprehended along the northern border in the past year, accounting for 60% of all arrests in that region.

Most undocumented Indian immigrants hail from Punjab and Gujarat, driven by economic hardships and aspirations for a better life. Reports suggest that Indians accounted for approximately 3% of all illegal border crossings into the U.S. in 2024.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the deportation policies, stating that such measures are essential to curb illegal migration. “These flights act as a deterrent to those considering illegal entry. Immigration laws must be enforced to protect national security and public safety,” he said.

India-U.S. Relations Amid Controversy

The controversy over deportations comes just ahead of Bharat Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington next week. Immigration was a key topic in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Trump reiterated his administration’s commitment to enforcing strict border controls.

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