Congress MP Manickam Tagore has criticised the government’s silence over the deportation of Indians from the US in handcuffs, calling the situation “shocking and shameful.”
Congress MP Manickam Tagore has strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for their silence over the treatment of Indians being deported from the United States in chains. Calling the situation “shocking and shameful,” Tagore urged the central government to intervene and ensure the dignity of Indian citizens abroad.
In a post on X, he shared an image of handcuffed individuals being deported, expressing his outrage. “Shocking & shameful! The way the US is deporting Indians—chained like criminals—is inhumane & unacceptable. Why is PM @narendramodi silent? Where is self-respect? @DrSJaishankar, what are you doing to stop this humiliation of our people? Speak up & act NOW! #IndiansDeported,” he wrote.
Tagore’s remarks follow reports indicating that the US has been using military aircraft to deport migrants to India. Reuters cited US officials confirming that a C-17 aircraft had flown deported Indian migrants, marking the longest such deportation flight under the Trump administration. Previously, such flights were used to send migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also condemned the deportation images, recalling a similar diplomatic dispute in 2013 when Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was strip-searched and detained in the US. He emphasised that the then-UPA government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, responded forcefully.
“The way the US is deporting Indians—chained like criminals—is inhumane & unacceptable. Why is PM @narendramodi silent? Where is self-respect?” – Manickam Tagore, MP
Khera highlighted that in protest, then-Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh formally lodged complaints with US Ambassador Nancy Powell. Additionally, senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Meira Kumar, and Sushil Kumar Shinde, refused to meet a visiting US Congressional delegation. The Indian government also withdrew certain privileges granted to the US embassy, including access to duty-free food and alcohol imports, and ordered an Income Tax probe into the American Embassy School. Eventually, then-US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed regret over the treatment of Khobragade, and the US administration conveyed its formal apology to Indian authorities.
“Looking at the pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US saddens me as an Indian. I remember in December of 2013, an Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip-searched in America. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh registered a strong protest with US Ambassador Nancy Powell,” Khera said in his post on X. He added, “The UPA government retaliated sharply. Leaders like Ms Meira Kumar, Sushil Kumar Shinde, and Rahul Gandhi refused to meet the US Congressional delegation. Dr Manmohan Singh termed the US action ‘deplorable.’ The Government of India withdrew several perks given to the US embassy, including concessions on imports by embassy staff. An Income Tax investigation into the American Embassy School was launched. John Kerry later expressed regret at the treatment given to Devyani Khobragade. The US administration formally conveyed its apologies to India.”
In response to the ongoing deportations, a US Embassy spokesperson defended the measures, stating that they are part of stricter immigration enforcement policies. “I have received a number of inquiries on the report of a deportation flight to India. I can’t share any details on those inquiries, but I can share, on the record, that the United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” the spokesperson said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also weighed in on the matter during a press briefing on January 24. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s opposition to illegal immigration and affirmed that the government would facilitate the return of Indian nationals staying unlawfully in any country, provided their nationality could be verified. “We are against illegal immigration, especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime. For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying, or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, we will take them back, provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality and that they are indeed Indians. If that happens to be the case, we will take things forward and facilitate their return to India,” he stated.
As the controversy over the treatment of Indian deportees continues, political leaders and citizens alike are calling on the government to take a firm stand. Many are drawing comparisons to past diplomatic stances, questioning why the current administration has remained silent while Indian citizens face what they see as degrading treatment abroad. The situation has reignited discussions on India’s foreign policy approach and its handling of diplomatic disputes involving its citizens.
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