Pratibha Singh, the Congress president of Himachal Pradesh, sharply criticized the NDA government at the Centre on Friday, calling the alleged deportation of illegal Indian immigrants in shackles by the US government an “insult” to India.

A US military C-17 transport aircraft carried 104 illegal Indian immigrants from San Antonio, Texas, and landed at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport on Wednesday. This marked the first group of Indians deported under the extensive crackdown initiated by US President Donald Trump on illegal immigrants.

‘Handcuffed and Shackled’: The Deportees’ Experience
Several deportees reported being handcuffed and shackled throughout the flight from the US, only being freed upon landing in Amritsar. One deportee shared how the experience made her feel like a hardened criminal. “We were handcuffed and chained, unable to move or interact with others. The chains were not removed even when we needed to use the toilet. We were forced to sit face-to-face and prohibited from speaking during the entire flight,” said Lovepreet.

The group of deportees, including 72 men, 19 women, and 13 children, described harsh detention conditions, cold holding facilities, and a journey marked by constant restraints and surveillance.

Many opposition leaders condemned the treatment of the deportees, raising concerns over how they were treated. MPs from the opposition also staged protests outside Parliament in Delhi.

Pratibha Singh expressed outrage at the way the deportees were “mistreated,” urging the Indian government to take a stand and, like Colombia and Brazil, send its aircraft. “This is an insult to the country. Unfortunately, the government is still not ready to address this matter,” she added.

India’s Response to US Deportations
Following the return of the deportees, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed concerns in the Rajya Sabha, stating that the use of restraints by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been part of their standard procedure since 2012. However, Jaishankar emphasized that India is engaging with the US government to ensure the deportees are not mistreated during their return flights.

He also reiterated that all countries must repatriate nationals found living illegally abroad, provided their nationality is verified. “This principle is not exclusive to any one country; it is a generally accepted norm in international relations,” he said. Jaishankar further emphasized that India’s priority should be a “strong crackdown” on the illegal migration industry and improving visa processes for legitimate travelers.