Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday expressed his outrage over the deportation of over 100 Indian nationals from the United States, calling the treatment they received “absolutely inhumane and medieval.”
Tewari, deeply disturbed by the situation, emphasized that the deported individuals were not criminals, but rather people who had entered the US in search of a better life. “I am absolutely anguished by the inhumane treatment meted out to the Indians deported from the United States and brought to Amritsar. They are not criminals. They entered the US in search of a better life, not as lawbreakers,” he said in a conversation with ANI.
The Congress MP also sharply criticized the Indian government, stating, “I fail to understand how the government, including the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, can accept such inhumane treatment of Indian citizens.” He claimed that the deported individuals were “handcuffed” and “shackled” for hours, a treatment he condemned as barbaric.
Tewari further questioned whether due legal process had been followed during the deportation. He asked, “If they are being deported, why were they handcuffed and shackled for hours? Why were they forced to eat with their hands still bound in handcuffs? This is absolutely medieval and inhumane. We are not in barbaric times; every person deserves to be treated with dignity.”
He continued, “Even if these individuals entered the US illegally, they should be sent back with dignity and respect. The government of India should ensure that they are returned without such humiliating treatment.”
In response to a viral image on social media showing individuals allegedly deported from the US with their hands shackled, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that the image did not pertain to the deportation of Indian nationals. The PIB stated that the image in question was actually from a deportation flight to Guatemala, not India, debunking the claims made on social media.
A US Air Force plane carrying Indian nationals who were reportedly living illegally in the US arrived in Amritsar, Punjab, on February 5.
On Tuesday, a US Embassy spokesperson emphasized that the United States is firmly enforcing its border and immigration laws, sending a strong message that illegal migration carries significant risks. “While I can’t provide specific details, the US is tightening its immigration laws and removing illegal migrants. This action sends a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” the spokesperson stated.
