New Delhi, February 5: Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera expressed deep concern over the recent images of Indians being "handcuffed and humiliated" during their deportation from the United States. His remarks come after reports revealed that the US had been using military planes to deport migrants back to India.
In a post shared on X, Khera compared this situation to the 2013 incident involving Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, who was "handcuffed and strip-searched" by US authorities. He recalled how the Indian government, under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress, strongly protested Khobragade's treatment. At the time, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh lodged a formal protest with then-US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell.
Khera also highlighted the response of prominent Indian leaders, including former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Sushil Kumar Shinde, who refused to meet the visiting US Congress delegation. The Indian government responded by withdrawing several privileges enjoyed by the US embassy in India, such as the concession on food and alcohol imports for embassy staff. The Income Tax Department also initiated an investigation into the American Embassy School.
In his post, Khera wrote, "It deeply saddens me to see images of Indians being handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US. I recall the 2013 incident where Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was mistreated in America. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh strongly protested the matter to US Ambassador Nancy Powell." He went on to mention the actions the UPA government took in response, including the withdrawal of embassy perks and the investigation into the US embassy’s activities.
