'Why is MEA silent?': Opposition protests 'inhumane' deportation of Indians
What's the story
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon on Thursday amid a ruckus over the "inhumane" treatment of over 100 Indian nationals deported from the United States. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi slammed Indian authorities for their silence on the matter, saying he was disappointed with both the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking up.
Treatment criticized
Deportees treated inhumanely, alleges Congress
Describing the deportation process as "absolutely inhumane," Gogoi highlighted that the deportees were flown back to India handcuffed and their feet shackled in a military plane. He said, "America and India share good relations, but the manner in which they have sent back more than 100 Indian nationals handcuffed and their feet shackled...is absolutely inhumane." "Why is MEA silent?...I think MEA and PM should make a statement about this," he said.
Legal process questioned
Deportees not criminals but opportunity seekers: Tewari
Congress MP Manish Tewari also raised his concerns over the issue, stressing that those deported weren't criminals but people looking for better opportunities. He asked if due process was followed in their deportation and slammed the need to handcuff and shackle them for hours. "This is absolutely inhumane and medieval," Tewari said.
Motion moved
Adjournment motion moved in Lok Sabha over deportations
Separately, Congress MP KC Venugopal moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the deportations. The motion urged the government to clarify its stance on this issue and outline diplomatic measures being taken with US authorities to ensure dignified treatment of deportees. It also highlighted the need for policies to prevent illegal migration and support reintegration of deportees.
Deportation details
104 Indians deported from US, arrive in Amritsar
While the MEA has yet to issue a statement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met PM Narendra Modi on Thursday to discuss the recent deportation of 104 Indians from the United States. He will address the issue in Parliament at 2:00pm. In a first, a US C-17 military aircraft with 104 Indian immigrants on-board landed in Amritsar on Wednesday. This was the first batch of Indians deported under a crackdown by the Trump administration.