New Delhi, Feb 7 : Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney raised concerns over the treatment of 104 Indian nationals deported from the United States on a U.S. military aircraft, where they were allegedly handcuffed and shackled during their journey. Speaking to India Today Global, Sahney confirmed that the deportees included individuals from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Haryana. “They were possibly transported on a military aircraft. They were handcuffed, and their legs were also tied up,” he said.
Sahney urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump during their scheduled meeting in February. He appealed for a one-time amnesty scheme for long-term Indian residents in the U.S., saying, “Those who have been in the U.S. for 10 years could be considered for amnesty, while those who arrived recently should be given a notice period for voluntary departure.”
The deportation has highlighted issues surrounding illegal immigration. Sahney pointed to the role of unauthorized agents in facilitating illegal travel, calling for strict action at the grassroots level. “Till these agents will be operating… no law can deter our youth from going abroad through illegal channels,” he noted.
To address the root causes, the Punjab government, at Sahney’s request, has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT), leading to 43 FIRs being registered against unauthorized agents. He also offered free vocational training to deported individuals through world-class skill centers in Punjab, stating, “We have offered free training for one year in soft skills, and we will assist them in securing jobs.”
Sahney called for a more humane approach to deportations, emphasizing, “They should have been deported on a normal civilian plane. Why create such a hype?” He also appealed for diplomatic engagement, expressing faith in Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar to resolve the issue. “We have full faith in our honourable PM. I’m sure at diplomatic levels, this issue will be resolved,” he said.
The deportees, many of whom were visibly distressed, are now back in India. “This is a time for empathy, not politics. We have to handhold them,” Sahney remarked. He urged the government to act swiftly, not just for the 104 deported individuals but for the hundreds of Indians facing similar situations abroad.
