"Absolutely inhumane, medieval": Congress' Manish Tewari on treatment of Indian nationals deported from US

New Delhi [India], February 6 (ANI): Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday expressed his concerns over the deportation process of over 100 Indian nationals who were allegedly illegally living in the US, stating that the treatment given to them was "absolutely inhumane and medieval."
Expressing his anger, Tewari stated that he is "absolutely anguished" at the "inhumane" treatment which has been meted out to the Indians who have been deported, adding that they are not criminals as they entered US in search of a better life.
Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Manish Tewari said, "Absolutely anguished at the inhumane treatment which has been meted out to the Indians who have been deported from the United States of America and brought to Amritsar. They are not criminals, they may have illegally entered the US in search of a better life."
The Congress MP further slammed the Centre stating - "I have failed to understand how can the government at the level of the PM and the Foreign Minister countenance such inhumane treatment of Indian citizens."
Tewari claimed that the deported individuals were "handcuffed" and "shackled" for hours saying that the world is not living in the era of barbaric times and every person has right to be treated with dignity.
He said, "The first question which needs to be determined, for which there is no answers so far, has the due process of law as is available in the US been followed for their deportation. If at all they are deported why do you need to handcuff them, shackle them for hours, make them eat food with their hands in handcuffs...This is absolutely inhumane and medieval. We are not living in barbaric times, every person has the right to be treated with human dignity. Yes, you don't want them in your country. Ostensibly, they entered illegally. You are sending them back, the government of India is taking them back but at least send them back with dignity and respect."
Meanwhile, the Press Information Bureau fact checked an image which claimed Indians were sitting with their hands in handcuffs. In a social media post on X, PIB said that the image which is gaining traction on social media pertains to Guatemala.
"A fake image is being shared on social media by many accounts with a claim that illegal Indian migrants have been handcuffed and their legs chained while being deported by US. The image being shared in these posts does not pertain to Indians. Instead it shows those deported to Guatemala," the social media by PIB read.
A US Air Force plane carrying Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US arrived in Punjab's Amritsar on February 5.
Earlier on Tuesday, a US Embassy spokesperson said that while specific details cannot be shared, the United States is vigorously enforcing its border and immigration laws. The spokesperson emphasised that the actions taken, send a "clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk."
"I have received a number of inquiries on the report of a deportation flight to India. I can't share any details on those inquiries, but I can share, on the record, that the United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk," a US Embassy spokesperson said. (ANI)