Gujarat Congress MLAs staged a protest outside the State Assembly in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, condemning the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States, particularly the manner in which they were brought back—handcuffed and shackled. The MLAs gathered in front of the Assembly and raised slogans such as “Bharatiya ka ye apman nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate this disrespect against Indians).
The protest was sparked by the recent deportation of three illegal Indian immigrants from Gujarat, who were brought back to Ahmedabad on Monday. This was part of a broader wave of deportations, with 112 Indian nationals arriving at Amritsar Airport on Sunday as part of the third batch of deportees, following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Earlier, the first batch of deportees, including those from Gujarat, landed in Amritsar, Punjab, on February 5.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had assured that the deportees would be treated with dignity upon their arrival. In a press conference on Saturday, he confirmed that the deportees would remain in Amritsar for a few hours before being sent to their respective states. “We will ensure that no one is left hungry. We have made arrangements for their stay in Amritsar, and flights for their return to their home states have already been booked by the Ministry of External Affairs,” Mann said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on February 13, expressed India’s willingness to repatriate its citizens who are residing illegally in the US. He emphasized the need to dismantle the “ecosystem” of human trafficking that facilitates illegal migration. During a joint press conference with President Trump, PM Modi reiterated that those found to be genuine Indian nationals and residing unlawfully in the US would be taken back by India, with full cooperation from the US government.
“People living illegally in foreign countries have no legal right to be there. India has always maintained that we are ready to take back our citizens who are staying illegally in the United States, provided they are verified as Indian nationals,” PM Modi stated.
