New Delhi- The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has strongly condemned the alleged inhumane treatment of 104 Indian citizens deported by the United States on February 5. The deportees, including 19 women and 13 minors, were reportedly handcuffed and had their legs restrained for the entirety of a grueling 40-hour flight aboard a US military aircraft. The incident has sparked outrage among human rights activists and opposition leaders, who have criticized both the US administration under President Donald Trump and the Indian government’s response.

This deportation marks a new precedent, as it is the first time Indian citizens have been expelled from the US using military transport. A video posted by US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks showed the Indian deportees walking in shackles as they boarded the aircraft. In the video, Banks described this as the “farthest deportation flight yet using military transport,” a statement that has only added to the controversy.

Indian Govt's 'Weak' Response Criticized

The issue was raised in the Indian Parliament, prompting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to acknowledge ongoing discussions with the US regarding deportation protocols. However, he defended the procedures, stating that US authorities had assured the Indian government that women and children were not restrained. Contradicting this claim, testimonies from deportees paint a harrowing picture, with reports that even minors were handcuffed and their legs tied with ropes. One returnee likened the experience to being treated like a “chained animal.”

NAPM has criticized the Indian government for failing to stand up for its citizens. “Instead of justifying this sub-human treatment, the Indian state must protect its people,” the organization stated in a press release, urging the Modi administration to take a firm stance during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to the US on February 12-13. NAPM also demanded that the Indian government register a formal protest with the United Nations.

Activists argue that the deportation violates several international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1976) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture (1984). They have called on the Indian government to explore filing a complaint against the US with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

“Even if an individual has violated immigration laws, their basic human rights must be respected,” NAPM stated. “The manner in which these 104 Indians were deported violates all standards of human dignity and international law.”

The deportation comes against the backdrop of escalating anti-immigrant rhetoric in the US, particularly under the Trump administration, which has vowed to crack down on undocumented migrants. The incident is also reflective of the broader global trend of right-wing nationalist policies fueling xenophobia against immigrants.

The Indian diaspora, the largest in the world at 18 million, consists primarily of low-income migrant workers. Many of them, faced with a lack of job opportunities at home, migrate through irregular channels in search of employment. The US, like many Western nations, relies heavily on migrant labor for industries such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. While these jobs offer low wages and poor working conditions, they remain a lifeline for many from the Global South.

NAPM argues that India must advocate for its workers abroad. “The global economy is powered by migrant labor from the Global South, yet they are treated with disdain and stripped of basic dignity. It is time for Western nations to acknowledge their dependence on these workers and respect their rights,” the organization stated.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit the US in a few days, NAPM and other rights organizations are urging him to raise the deportation issue directly with American authorities. “The Indian government’s failure to act would not only neglect the rights of these 104 citizens but also expose other Indian migrants to further abuse abroad,” NAPM warned.

The alliance further called on Indian citizens to recognize the dangers of right-wing nationalist policies, both domestically and internationally. “Governments that push fear of the ‘outsider’ will ultimately fail to protect their own people,” NAPM cautioned.