By Jyotika Kalra
“No one truly knows a nation until one has visited the jails, for a nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.”
— Nelson Mandela
A disturbing spectacle unfolded recently when 104 Indian nationals—shackled, handcuffed, and stripped of their dignity—were deported from the United States on a military aircraft. The flight, originating from San Antonio, Texas, endured a gruelling 34-hour journey spanning over 12,000 kilometres before landing at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar. Among the deportees were 25 women and 12 minors, all subjected to inhumane treatment that sparked global outrage.
Adding to the shock, Michael W Banks, Chief of the US Border Patrol, proudly shared a video showcasing these individuals, bound in chains and lined up like cattle. When confronted about the degrading and unnecessary display, the US administration defended its actions with a cold, matter-of-fact statement: “If you cross the border illegally, you will be removed.”
A Return To Primitive Justice?
A study of human history reveals that power and dominance were once measured by physical strength. Primitive societies enforced justice through retributive means—blood for blood, suffering for suffering. Over time, democratic societies moved away from this form of justice, recognizing the inherent dignity of all human beings. However, the resurfacing of regressive practices in modern nations is deeply troubling.
We have witnessed the Taliban’s oppressive rule in Afghanistan, where women’s rights are systematically erased. Similarly, Iran has seen a resurgence of fundamentalist crackdowns, reversing years of progress. The United States, long considered a beacon of democracy, now appears to be following a similar regressive path. The treatment of these deported Indian migrants echoes the very human rights violations America claims to oppose in authoritarian regimes.
America’s Hypocrisy On Display
The US has long positioned itself as the world’s moral authority, lecturing other nations on democracy and human rights. Yet, the public humiliation of these deportees exposes its deep-seated hypocrisy. The fact that American officials celebrated this act on social media only adds insult to injury. How can a country that claims to champion human dignity justify treating people like criminals for seeking a better life?
The timing of this incident also raises questions. Immigration has been a central issue in US politics, especially under Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda. The decision to showcase public deportations as a spectacle seems designed to reinforce a fear-driven, punitive approach to immigration—one that prioritizes cruelty over compassion. If this is the path to American “greatness,” one must wonder what kind of greatness is being pursued.
India’s Concerning Silence
While this incident should have triggered strong diplomatic protest from India, the government’s response has been disappointingly weak. These individuals, who endured 34 hours of physical and psychological trauma, struggled to perform even basic human functions—eating, using the restroom, or moving freely. The Indian government’s failure to condemn their mistreatment is as concerning as the act itself.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended the deportation, citing “Standard Operating Procedure”—a bureaucratic explanation that completely ignores the dehumanization involved. Deportation is not the issue here; it is the method of deportation that violates fundamental human rights. Every nation has the right to regulate immigration, but such policies must be enforced with dignity and respect—not with chains and public humiliation.
A Nation’s Reputation At Stake
India has proven its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad—notably, during the evacuation of students from war-torn Ukraine. Yet, when it comes to the humiliation of Indian nationals on a global stage, there is no meaningful response.
This sentiment was further reinforced when, on February 15th, 2025, the United States sent a second military plane carrying 119 Indian immigrants, followed by a third plane with 112 Indian immigrants on February 16, 2025. These individuals were also shackled and handcuffed during the transfer, a stark contrast to the warm and friendly gestures extended by President Donald Trump during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America on February 13, 2025. If India aspires to be a global leader, it must take a firm stand on the dignity of its people—both within its borders and beyond.
The world is watching, and history will judge nations not by their wealth or military strength, but by how they treat the most vulnerable among them. America’s brutal display of power in this case does nothing to reinforce its greatness—it only highlights its decline in moral standing. Meanwhile, India must decide whether to remain silent or demand justice for its people.
The right choice should be clear.
—The writer is a former member of the National Human Rights Commission and Advocate-On-Record, Supreme Court