Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose has formally submitted a privilege notice against External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, alleging that he misled the House regarding the treatment of Indian migrants deported by the Donald Trump administration. The deportees, who were sent back to India in shackles aboard a US military aircraft, reportedly faced mistreatment during the deportation process.
Ghose’s notice is based on Jaishankar’s statement in the Rajya Sabha on February 6, in which he addressed the issue of the deportation that had taken place earlier that week. According to Ghose, the minister’s remarks contained misleading and incomplete information, which she believes not only violated parliamentary privilege but also obstructed an informed and transparent debate within the House.
A key point of contention in Ghose’s complaint revolves around Jaishankar’s assertion that “we are, of course, engaging the US government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight.” However, Ghose highlighted that statements made by deportees who arrived on subsequent deportation flights contradicted the minister’s claim. She pointed out that several deportees spoke out about being shackled and subjected to inhumane conditions, challenging the government’s assurances to Parliament.
Further adding to the controversy, the External Affairs Ministry later acknowledged that the shackling of male deportees has continued in these long-haul deportation flights. Although the ministry confirmed that women and children were not handcuffed or subjected to similar restraints, the male deportees were restrained in chains while being transported on US Air Force C-17 Globemaster flights that landed in Amritsar on February 15 and 16. The government’s confirmation of this practice has intensified concerns over human rights violations.
Another issue that emerged from these flights involved a Sikh man who was allegedly asked to remove his turban during the deportation process. This incident has sparked significant outrage, particularly within Sikh communities, as it raises questions about religious freedoms and the treatment of deportees by US authorities.
Ghose, in her privilege notice, has argued that Rajya Sabha rules allow for action to be taken if the House is misled by incomplete or inaccurate information. She contends that Jaishankar’s statement failed to provide a complete picture of the deportation process and omitted crucial details about the mistreatment allegations. She has further asserted that despite the government’s responsibility to monitor and verify the conditions under which Indian deportees were being transported, the minister failed to disclose important facts regarding inadequate food and poor treatment during the flights.
The decision on whether to admit Ghose’s privilege notice and refer it to the Privileges Committee now rests with the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha. If admitted, the case will be reviewed in detail, and the minister may be required to clarify his statements or provide additional information to address the concerns raised.
Jaishankar’s original statement was made following the arrival of the first deportation flight under the Trump administration, which landed in Amritsar on February 5. Since then, concerns over the treatment of deportees have continued to escalate, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in the government’s handling of the matter.
