NEW DELHI: Opposition Members of Parliament protested in the House on Thursday, (February 6, 2025) over the deportation of 104 Indian migrants from the United States. They wore "handcuffs" during the protest to highlight the harsh treatment the deportees reportedly faced.
The protest caused heavy disruption in Parliament, leading to calls for a discussion on the matter. As the proceedings resumed, opposition MPs raised the issue of the deportations. They demanded that the government take action. In the Lok Sabha, MPs shouted slogans and gathered in the well of the House, in spite of Speaker Om Birla's request for calm.
Birla said that the issue was related to the Ministry of External Affairs and that the government was aware of it. However, the MPs continued their protests, leading to an adjournment of the House until 2.00 pm. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also moved a motion urging the government to discuss its diplomatic efforts with the United States.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed similar protests from MPs across different parties, including Congress, CPI, TMC, AAP, and CPM. They questioned the government's silence on the issue.
Congress M P from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor urged the U.S for deporting the migrants in "handcuffs", calling it an insult to India and the dignity of its citizens. "While they have the right to deport illegal immigrants, treating them this way is unacceptable," Shashi Tharoor said.
The deportees, mostly from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, arrived in Amritsar on a U.S Air Force plane. Many of them complained they were handcuffed and chained throughout the flight, only being released after landing. The incident has raised concerns about the dangerous journey many migrants take to reach the U.S.
A group of 33 people from Gujarat, including seven children, who were deported from the United States, arrived in Ahmedabad early Thursday morning. Their flight landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport at 6.30 am.
The deportees came from different districts: 13 were from Gandhinagar, 10 from Mehsana, four from Patan, and one each from Ahmedabad city, Ahmedabad rural, Vadodara rural, Petlad (Anand district), Ankleshwar (Bharuch district), and Juna Deesa (Banaskantha).
33 Gujaratis Deported from US Return to Ahmedabad Under Police Escort
By early morning today, police teams from these districts had already reached the airport. Officials took custody of the deportees and transported them to their respective district police headquarters for questioning before escorting them home. To maintain order, police had informed their families in advance that they would be dropped off under escort, which is why no relatives were present at the airport.