IOC calls treatment undignified and questions India’s decision to allow the military aircraft to land
The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has strongly criticized the United States for deporting illegal Indian immigrants in handcuffs aboard a US military aircraft. The organization denounced the act as humiliating and vowed to raise the issue at both national and international levels, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
“Indians are not criminals,” says IOC
“We, the people of Indian origin, are deeply disturbed to learn that Indian nationals who were illegally staying in the US were shackled and sent back to India on a military aircraft. This is unacceptable,” said Rajwinder Singh, a senior IOC leader, while speaking from California.
IOC leaders from the US and Europe held an online meeting to condemn the use of military transport for deportations and India’s compliance in allowing the plane to land.
Why did India permit the US military aircraft?
Mohinder Singh, a resident of New York, questioned why the Indian government allowed a military aircraft to transport deported Indians when they could have been sent back on commercial flights. He cited Colombia’s refusal to grant landing permission to a similar US military plane carrying deportees.
“There might be strategic reasons behind this move, but it makes India look weak on the global stage,” he added, suggesting the aircraft could have been carrying high-end surveillance equipment.
IOC to escalate the issue globally
Shudh Singh from Dallas emphasized that IOC members from Europe also attended the meeting and strongly condemned the treatment of deported Indians. He criticized the use of handcuffs and military transportation, calling it a “shameful moment” for India.
“We have decided to escalate this matter at a global level and demand answers from both the Indian and US governments,” he said.
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