New Delhi [India], February 6: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply criticized the Central government on Thursday over the recent deportation of more than 100 Indian nationals, allegedly living illegally in the United States. She specifically questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the matter, particularly given his strong relationship with former US President Donald Trump.
In a video shared by the All India Congress Committee, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked, “A lot of things were said that President Trump and PM Modi are very good friends. Why did PM Modi let this happen?” She further condemned the way the deportation was carried out, emphasizing that India could have taken more responsibility in the process.
“Couldn’t we have sent our own aircraft to bring them back? Is this how humans are treated? That they are sent back handcuffed and shackled? EAM and PM should answer,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.
The issue sparked protests in Parliament, with opposition parliamentarians demanding a discussion on the matter. Congress MP Gurujit Singh Aujla from Amritsar joined the protest wearing handcuffs to highlight the inhumane treatment allegedly faced by the deportees. Aujla criticized the manner in which they were brought back, stating, “The way they were brought in was wrong. They were humiliated. Their hands and feet were chained. When our government already knew that they were going to be deported, then they should have sent a commercial flight to bring them back.”
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, and several other leaders participated in the protest, also wearing handcuffs and holding placards reading “Humans, not prisoners.” The protestors accused the US of subjecting Indian citizens to inhumane treatment and called for the government to address the issue.
Congress submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on the deportation and urging the government to take steps to prevent further dehumanization of Indian nationals. The motion read, “This House must urgently address the issue to prevent further dehumanisation of our people and to uphold the dignity of every Indian, both at home and abroad.”
As the protests continued, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm due to disruptions. Meanwhile, opposition leaders continued to call for a response from the government, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stating he would address the matter in the Rajya Sabha later in the day.