Many MPs from opposition parties on Thursday criticized the government for the way of sending Indians living illegally in the US and questioned the behavior being done with the migrants.On Wednesday, an American military aircraft reached Amritsar with 104 illegal Indian migrants. This is the first batch of Indians deported by the Donald Trump government under action against illegal migrants.
The exiles claimed that during the entire journey, their hands and feet were handcuffed and they were opened only after landing at Amritsar Airport.Opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, demonstrated in the Parliament complex in protest against the behavior of Indians by US officials. Some opposition leaders staged a protest wearing handcuffs.
Amid the attacks of the opposition, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that the government will express its opinion at the right time. He said, “This is a policy decision and the opposition should not politicize it.” Also, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said thatThis action has taken place according to American rules. This is not the first time. Even before this, illegal Indians have been sent home.
Giving a statement in this regard in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar also said, “We are talking to the US government to ensure that there is no misbehavior with the exile.”
He said, “It is the responsibility of all countries that if their citizens are found illegally living abroad, then they should withdraw their citizens. This policy is not applicable to only one country. The process of exile is not new, it has been for many years. ”
Jaishankar has also put the figures of people deported from America before the House. He said that 734 in the year 2009, 799 in 2010, 597 in 2011, 530 Indians in 2012 were deported. He shared figures up to 2024 in this regard.
He said, “We are interacting with the US government to ensure that the exiles are not misbehaved.” Our focus should be on strong action against illegal migration industry. ”
Targeting the government, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that the way Indians were sent back, it reflects the “helplessness” of the government.
He told reporters in the Parliament complex, “What women were treated and brought back with handcuffs like criminals … We will not tolerate insult to the country.”
He alleged that his personal image is more important for Prime Minister Narendra Modi than the country’s reputation.
He said, “This is a black day … Prime Minister is silent.”
Another Congress leader K.K. C. Venugopal surprised why diplomatic relations between India and America are not working to avoid such situations.
The Lok Sabha member said, “We have given notice of adjournment in Parliament on this issue.”
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that America has the legal right to send back people living there illegally, but we are opposing the way they were sent back. He suggested that civilian aircraft could be used for this work.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad also questioned how to send Indians back and described the incident as “painful”.
