Defending the Centre on the issue of deportation of illegal migrants from the US amid strong attacks from opposition MPs and addressing concerns about whether such cases have increased in recent years, Jaishankar stated, “The process of deportation is not a new one, I repeat, not a new one, and has been ongoing for several years.” He clarified that the standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft, used by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement of US Homeland Security) since 2012, includes the use of restraints but added that India has been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained.“Further, the needs of deportees during transit related to food or other necessities, including possible medical emergencies, are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard. This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. There has been no change, I repeat, no change, from past procedure for the flight undertaken by the US on 5 February 2025,” said the minister.Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned until noon after MPs from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool, Aam Aadmi Party, and Communist Party of India submitted adjournment notices under Rule 267, which calls for setting aside scheduled business. All the notices were rejected, sparking intense protests from opposition lawmakers, many of whom stood in their seats and shouted their objections. In the heated verbal exchange that ensued, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chair Harivansh Narayan Singh ordered the striking of MPs’ remarks from the record.Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi condemned the deportation process as “degrading.” His colleague Renuka Chowdhury claimed that, “For 40 hours, these Indians were handcuffed, had their legs chained, and even struggled to use the washroom.”
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