Amritsar, February 17:
In a deeply distressing turn of events, a third special flight carrying 112 Indian deportees from the United States landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar late Sunday night. This follows two earlier flights that brought back 117 and 104 deportees, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration by the US authorities.
However, the return of these deportees has sparked national outrage, particularly in the Sikh community, as reports surfaced that 24 Sikh deportees were forced to remove their turbans before boarding the plane. Handcuffed and shackled like criminals, they were stripped of their dignity, a move that has been widely condemned by Sikh leaders and political figures in India.
Treated Like Criminals, Not Victims
Eyewitness accounts from deportees reveal inhumane treatment by US authorities. They were allegedly detained for days, handcuffed, and transported in chains before being placed on a US military aircraft. According to sources, Sikh deportees were forced to remove their turbans, leaving them bareheaded for the duration of their journey. This act, considered a grievous insult to their religious identity, has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organizations and human rights activists.
“They were treated as if they were hardened criminals, not individuals seeking a better life. The US authorities not only violated their human rights but also disrespected their religious sentiments,” said Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami.
The SGPC, deeply angered by these developments, has called upon India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up the matter with the United States government and demand an official response regarding the mistreatment of Sikh deportees.
Seven-Hour Ordeal at the Airport
The deportees landed in Amritsar at 10:03 PM on Sunday, but they were not allowed to leave the airport for nearly seven hours. Authorities only permitted them to exit in small, tightly controlled batches after 4:30 AM on Monday. Family members who had gathered at the airport, some traveling long distances, were not allowed to meet their loved ones upon arrival.
“We waited all night, hoping to see our son. But we were kept away like outsiders. This is heartbreaking,” said a weeping father from Punjab’s Moga district, whose son had been deported after spending ₹40 lakh to reach the US.
Amid the chaos, SGPC volunteers stepped in, providing turbans to Sikh deportees who arrived bareheaded. The organization also arranged langar (free meals) and temporary accommodation at the Golden Temple complex for those needing shelter before traveling home.
Political Silence and Outrage
The incident has triggered political backlash, with critics questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not raise the issue during his recent visit to the United States. “If our government can celebrate ties with the US, why can’t it protect the dignity of its citizens?” asked SGPC’s former general secretary, Gurcharan Singh Garewal.
Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh were present at the airport to meet the deportees. They condemned the harsh treatment and pledged to assist affected families in their legal battles.
Meanwhile, Haryana’s government arranged a bus under the CM Tirath Yatra Yojana to transport its 44 deported citizens back home. The same bus, typically used for ferrying pilgrims, was repurposed to carry deportees—a move some called “symbolic of their shattered dreams”.
The US Immigration Crackdown: A Growing Crisis
The deportations are part of a larger US crackdown on illegal immigration, which has intensified in recent months. Most of the deportees had arrived in the US in early January, hoping to seek asylum or legal entry through various channels. However, as US border controls tighten, thousands of Indian immigrants—especially from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat—are being caught in the crossfire.
With another batch of deportees expected to arrive soon, concerns are growing over the fate of hundreds still detained in the US. Sikh organizations and rights activists have demanded an urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent further mistreatment of Indian nationals abroad.
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