Indian Deportation: Jaishankar Cites US SOP

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the issue of Indian deportations in Rajya Sabha.
2. He stated that the deportations from the US followed their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
3. Male deportees were restrained with handcuffs and chains, but women and children were not.
4. Jaishankar assured the government is engaging with the US on this matter.
5. Opposition parties protested in Parliament over the treatment of the deportees.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

During the Parliament Budget session, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the issue of Indian deportations in the Rajya Sabha. The issue stemmed from concerns raised by opposition parties about the “inhuman manner” in which Indian nationals were deported from the US.

Indian deportation is a critical issue and it is being handled seriously. Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha that deportations by the US are organized and executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The SOP for deportations by aircraft, effective from 2012, allows for the use of restraints.

He stated that the Indian government is engaging with the Donald Trump administration to ensure that returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner. While confirming that male deportees were handcuffed and chained, Jaishankar clarified that women and children were not restrained.

“During toilet breaks, the deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed. This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft and there has been no change from the past procedures,” he added.

On Wednesday, a US Air Force aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals landed in Amritsar as part of Donald Trump’s crackdown against illegal immigrants. Most of the deportees were from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. These Indian nationals claimed that they were handcuffed and their feet were tied with chains throughout the journey. US Border Patrol (USBP) chief Michael Banks also released a video showing the Indian nationals in restraints while boarding the aircraft.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the Trump administration’s move to deport the Indian nationals in “handcuffs” was an insult to the country. “We are protesting the way in which this was done. They have every legal right to deport people who are illegally in their country… but to send them like this abruptly in a military aircraft and in handcuffs is an insult to India, it’s an insult to the dignity of Indians,” Tharoor said.

The government’s focus should be on a strong crackdown on the illegal immigration industry. The issue of Indian deportation sparked protests in Parliament, with opposition MPs demanding the government’s intervention in the matter. Therefore, the Indian government needs to have clear and concise immigration polices to prevent such events from happening in future.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• The Foreign minister stated the US SOP was followed during the Indian deportation.
• Men were handcuffed, while women and children were not.
• The government is in discussion with the US regarding this matter.
• Opposition parties staged a protest in Parliament.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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