Protests Erupt in India Over Shackling of Migrants
Team Youngistaan
A recent deportation flight from the United States to India has ignited global outrage after reports confirmed that 100 Indian migrants were shackled throughout their 40-hour journey, including during bathroom breaks. The incident, which highlights the harsh deportation policies under the Trump administration, has sparked protests across India, with lawmakers and opposition parties condemning the treatment of deportees.
Protests Erupt in India Over Shackling of Migrants
The deportation has led to massive protests in India, with lawmakers demonstrating outside Parliament in New Delhi. Some wore shackles in solidarity, while others mocked the much-publicized Modi-Trump friendship, questioning its effectiveness in safeguarding Indian citizens abroad.
In another part of the capital, members of India’s opposition youth wing burned an effigy of Donald Trump, condemning the inhumane treatment of Indian deportees. The anger is further intensified as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Washington for a high-profile meeting with Trump, raising concerns over the future of US-India diplomatic ties.
Horrific Treatment: Deportees Speak Out
According to Akashdeep Singh, a 23-year-old deportee, he and 103 others were handcuffed and had their ankles chained before boarding the flight.
“We begged the officials to remove the shackles while eating or using the bathroom, but they treated us terribly. The way they looked at us—I’ll never forget it,” Singh said.
Even after landing in Punjab, the shackles were only removed by local police officials, and women deportees were unchained just before landing.
US Officials Justify Deportation Measures
US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showing shackled Indian deportees being led onto a plane. However, US authorities have yet to respond to inquiries about the necessity of such extreme measures.
The Trump administration has intensified deportations using military aircraft, with this India-bound flight being one of the longest in distance since such operations began.
Harsh Journey Through Latin America
The rise in undocumented Indian migrants in the US is linked to job shortages and economic struggles in India. Many young Indians embark on dangerous journeys through Latin America and the US-Mexico border in search of employment opportunities.
According to US government data, the number of Indian nationals illegally entering the US has skyrocketed, rising from 8,027 in 2018-19 to 96,917 in 2022-23. Many families sell off their land and assets to pay travel agents who promise to smuggle them across borders.
Sukhpal Singh, a 35-year-old deportee, shared his struggle:
“I wanted a better life for my children. I had heard stories of success in the US, so I took the risk. But we were treated like criminals.”
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Test for US-India Relations
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to meet Donald Trump, the shackling of Indian migrants adds another layer of tension to US-India relations. Critics argue that India must take a stronger stand to ensure its citizens are treated with dignity abroad.
With growing global scrutiny on US immigration policies, this incident raises serious concerns about human rights violations and ethical treatment of deportees worldwide.
