Aujla criticised the Indian government for not arranging a commercial flight for their return, calling the deportation process humiliating. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned PM Modi’s silence and asked why India did not send its own aircraft to bring them back.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the government for failing to protect Indian citizens from inhumane treatment abroad. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav joined the protest outside Parliament.
Protesters held placards reading "humans, not prisoners," highlighting concerns over the treatment of deported Indians. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed disappointment, stating that despite strong Indo-US relations, the deportation was handled in an inhumane manner.
The Congress party submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, calling for a discussion on the issue. The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm following a ruckus over the opposition’s demand for a debate.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that he would address the Rajya Sabha on the matter at 2 pm. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the legality of deportation but criticised the US for using military aircraft and shackling deportees.
A US Embassy spokesperson stated that the country is strictly enforcing immigration laws and warned against illegal migration. Tharoor highlighted that 1,100 Indians were deported last year under the Biden administration and that over 725,000 undocumented Indians reside in the US.
