Amritsar Receives Deported Indians from US
The deportations have raised questions about the Indian government's role in protecting its citizens abroad, and the opposition's criticism of the government's handling of the situation. The controversy surrounding the deportations is likely to continue, with the government and opposition parties locked in a battle of words over the issue.
A second US plane carrying 119 Indian nationals landed at Amritsar airport, with the deportees hailing from various states including Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, as part of a bi-weekly operation that has sparked controversy and criticism from the Indian government and opposition parties.
The deportations have been a point of contention, with the Indian government being criticized for not intervening in the process. The Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, has accused the central government of deliberately trying to "defame" the state by choosing Amritsar as the landing site. The US authorities, however, have denied reports of mistreatment, stating that women and children are not restrained, and that the needs of deportees are attended to.
The issue has also sparked a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties, with the BJP accusing the Chief Minister of politicizing the issue. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla countered Mann's accusations, saying they are meaningless and that Punjab has a large number of NRIs who contribute significantly to the state's economy. The BJP refuted Mann's allegations, accusing him of exploiting the issue for political gains and not caring about the country's security.
As the controversy surrounding the deportations continues to unfold, the Indian government and opposition parties remain at odds over the issue. With a third plane expected to arrive tomorrow, the situation is likely to remain a point of contention in the coming days. The US has deported 1,889 Indians in 2020, the highest number in 15 years, and the Indian government's response to the situation will be closely watched.
