Mon Mar 03 11:17:56 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra MLA Protests US Deportation of Indians in Handcuffs
**Mumbai, March 3, 2025** – A Maharashtra legislator, Jitendra Awhad of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), staged a dramatic protest at the state assembly’s budget session today, arriving in handcuffs to condemn the alleged mistreatment of Indian nationals deported from the United States.
Awhad’s protest follows similar actions by Gujarat Congress MLAs and CPI(ML) MLAs in Patna, all united in their outrage over reports of over 300 Indians being deported on American military planes over the last month, some reportedly shackled during the flights.
Awhad claimed the Indian government is remaining silent on the issue, stating, “The way Indians are facing injustice in America…being tied and deported…no Indian is safe in America.” He highlighted visa issues as a contributing factor to the problem.
The US government has recently intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration, including increased raids, arrests, and deportations. While India has confirmed it will repatriate its citizens found to be in the US illegally after verification, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the use of restraints during deportation is standard procedure and that women and children are not shackled. However, this assurance hasn’t appeased protestors.
CPI(ML) MLA Mahboob Alam criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his lack of public comment on the matter, stating, “You have seen how the US has insulted our migrant workers and how the PM has not yet made any statements on this. We will not tolerate any compromise of the country’s self-respect.”
The escalating protests highlight growing concerns in India regarding the treatment of its citizens during US deportation proceedings. The issue has sparked widespread anger and demands for stronger government action to protect Indian nationals abroad.
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