External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (February 6) told Parliament of India that putting illegal immigrants in handcuffs while deporting them back to their country of origin was a US policy and that deportations have been happening since the year 2009.
The foreign minister also said that Indian citizens were falling prey to those operating 'illegal' emigration modes. His comment has come just a day after a US military flight brought around 100 immigrants back to India.
US President Donald Trump has taken a stern stance on illegal migration since he assumed office on January 20. Trump has always been hawkish on the issue but what's new this time is actual ferrying of illegal immigrants to their home countries.
Opposition parties in India have slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over handcuffed Indians, the imagery which caused quite a stir in India.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi lashed out at the PM and asked why did he let this happen. She was speaking in a video shared by All India Congress Committee.
"A lot of things were said that President Trump and PM Modi are very good friends. Why did PM Modi let this happen?" she asked.
"Couldn't we have sent our own aircraft to bring them back? Is this how humans are behaved with? That they are sent back handcuffed and shackled?... EAM and PM should answer," the Congress MP said.
Meanwhile, Chief of US Border Patrol Michael W. Banks on Wednesday (February 5) posted a video showing deportation of Indians
"...If you cross illegally, you will be removed." said his post on X (formerly Twitter).
At the time of publishing of this story, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not commented on the deportations.
Opposition parties were aggressive in parliament as well. By Thursday afternoon Lok Sabha was adjourned three times. The MPs raised slogans demanding a discussion on deportation.
