The United States has deported 104 Indian migrants on a military aircraft, landing them in Amritsar, India yesterday. The move has caused a political controversy, with the US defending their actions as crucial for national security while Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar downplayed the deportations as routine. However, opposition leaders have pointed out that the Indian government has previously arranged special flights to evacuate citizens from crisis zones, questioning why a similar measure was not taken for these deportees.
Deportation of Indian Migrants from the United States: A Controversial Move
The United States recently deported 104 Indian migrants, landing them in Amritsar, India on a military aircraft. This move has sparked a political controversy, with the US defending their actions as essential for national security, while India downplays the deportations as routine.
Background:
The issue of undocumented Indian migrants in the US has been a long-standing one. Many Indians enter the US legally on visas but overstay their permitted duration. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, there are an estimated 240,000 undocumented Indian immigrants living in the US.
Current Crisis:
The recent deportations were part of a larger operation to remove undocumented immigrants from the US. The US government chartered a military aircraft to transport 104 Indian migrants, who were reportedly classified as "criminal illegal immigrants" or "national security risks."
Official Statements:
The US defended its actions, stating that the deportees posed a threat to national security. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar downplayed the deportations, saying they were routine and had occurred in the past. However, opposition leaders in India criticized the government for not arranging a special flight to evacuate the deportees, as they have done in other crisis situations.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why were the Indian migrants deported? Answer: The US classified them as "criminal illegal immigrants" or "national security risks."
2. How many Indian migrants were deported? Answer: 104
3. What is the official Indian government's stance on the deportations? Answer: They downplay the incident as routine.
4. Why didn't the Indian government arrange a special flight for the deportees? Answer: The government has not publicly commented on this.
5. What are the implications of the deportations? Answer: It remains to be seen how the deportations will affect relations between the US and India.
Conclusion:
The deportation of Indian migrants from the US has ignited a political controversy in both countries. While the US justifies its actions based on national security concerns, India downplays the incident and seeks to mitigate any negative impact on bilateral relations. The long-term consequences of this move and the fate of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US remain to be determined.
A group of unidentified individuals illegally entered the Indian Consulate in Seattle after office hours on Friday, resulting in a tense law and order situation. Despite repeated requests, the individuals refused to leave and engaged in hostile behavior towards consulate staff. This incident comes shortly after the Indian External Affairs Minister spoke about another attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in 2023 and demanded accountability for the incident.
Ukraine's General Staff claims to have targeted a Russian airfield with long-range drones designed by Iran, and recently received a batch of Mirage fighter jets from France to aid in their ongoing conflict with Russia. While the Russian Defence Ministry has reported downing Ukrainian drones, it did not mention the airfield specifically. This attack comes as Ukraine tries to slow the Russian army's push along the front line, with previous successful strikes on oil refineries and other facilities.
Several Indian parliamentarians, including opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav, staged a demonstration in the Parliament complex to protest the treatment of Indian deportees by US authorities. The deportees claimed to have been cuffed and shackled throughout their 40-hour journey on a US military aircraft, leading to widespread condemnation from the opposition parties. The leaders called on the Modi government to provide a detailed statement on the matter and demanded to know why the government did not arrange for the deportees to be brought back with dignity and respect on an Indian plane. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also shared a video of one of the deportees highlighting their ordeal, urging the Prime Minister to listen to their pain and ensure that Indians are treated with dignity and humanity, not handcuffs.
A US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar, Punjab on Wednesday afternoon, drawing a large crowd and increased security measures at the airport. The deported individuals include women, minors, and men hailing from various states in India. The Punjab government has made arrangements to transport the deportees back to their respective places, with the assurance of friendly welcome and assistance from the state police and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. However, family members of the deportees from Gujarat are claiming they had no knowledge of their relatives' deportation and that they had left for Europe for vacation. Former deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel expressed sympathy for the deported individuals, stating that they went to the US in search of job opportunities and should not be seen as criminals.
The son of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been designated as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. With a major presence in India, the Aga Khan family has a deep connection with Hyderabad, where the only Aga Khan Academy is located. Prince Rahim Aga Khan visited Hyderabad in 2024, reinforcing the community's ties with the city. The educated and experienced Prince is set to lead the Shia Ismaili Muslims across the world, carrying on the legacy of his revered father.
US President Donald Trump surprised many by suggesting that the United States should "take over" Gaza and redevelop it into a thriving and luxurious area, dubbing it "the Riviera of the Middle East." This proposal raised questions and potential backlash, as many Middle Eastern countries have previously rejected the idea of resettling Palestinians outside of Gaza. As Trump's close ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the plan "worth paying attention to," adding to the controversy surrounding the statement. Meanwhile, Trump also addressed the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, stating that it would be "unfortunate" if the country thought it could develop atomic bombs.
The US President's decision to freeze funds for USAID has caused the organization to halt its work in India. Elon Musk, a close aide of Trump, has called USAID a "criminal organization" and the president himself has referred to the organization as a group of "radical left lunatics." As a result, all projects being implemented with USAID's support in India have been suspended until further notice. This move has raised concerns about the implications on healthcare and other partnerships between the two countries.
World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, aims to raise awareness and educate about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. In 2025, the event will focus on the theme "United by Unique," highlighting the importance of personalized and people-centred care. This initiative, led by the Union for International Cancer Control, strives to reduce the global cancer burden and ensure that it remains a top global health priority. With its origins in the Paris Charter for the New Millennium, World Cancer Day continues to bring together individuals and organizations from around the world to combat this deadly disease.
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh witnessed its third grand Amrit Snan on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, attracting devotees from all over the world. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been personally monitoring the situation since 3.30 am and officials have confirmed that the sacred dip is going on smoothly. The first of the akharas, including the ash-smeared Nagas, completed their bath by 6 am, with the Juna Akhara's Nagas being a major highlight of the event. To add to the spiritual atmosphere, rose petals were showered in the area using a helicopter.