New Delhi [India], February 6: The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Thursday till 11 am the next day, following a day of heated protests by Opposition parties demanding a discussion on the deportation of Indian nationals from the United States. Earlier in the day, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned until 2 pm after the Opposition raised concerns over the issue and called for an urgent debate.
The protest was triggered by the deportation of 104 Indian nationals who were allegedly living illegally in the US. These individuals were flown back to India on February 5 on a US military aircraft, landing in Amritsar, Punjab. The deportation comes amid increasing US immigration enforcement efforts targeting individuals who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to the issue in the Rajya Sabha, explaining that the deportations were carried out by the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the standard operating procedures (SOP) that have been in place since 2013. Jaishankar assured the House that the Indian government is engaging with the US to ensure that the deported nationals are not mistreated.
Jaishankar emphasized that it is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be residing illegally abroad, and the Indian government was working to ensure proper treatment for the deportees during their return. He also stated that the deportation procedure, including the use of handcuffs or restraints, was in line with previous protocols.
Meanwhile, several Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, sharply criticized the central government over the deportation. Vadra questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter, referencing the close relationship between PM Modi and former US President Donald Trump. She expressed outrage over the treatment of the deportees, particularly the use of handcuffs and shackles, and suggested that India should have arranged its own aircraft to bring the deportees back.
The Opposition also staged protests both inside and outside Parliament, calling for a discussion on the matter and accusing the government of not doing enough to protect the interests of Indian nationals abroad.
The tensions surrounding the deportation have sparked a broader debate on the treatment of Indian nationals living in the US illegally, with various political figures urging the government to take a stronger stance on the issue.