Did US Mistreat Sikh Deportees? India Raises Issue, America Responds

The United States has responded to India's concerns over the treatment of Indian nationals deported on three military flights last month, addressing issues related to religious sensitivities and food preferences.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the Indian government had strongly objected to reports claiming that Sikh deportees were forced to remove their turbans and that women and children were shackled during deportation.

In response, US authorities clarified that no deportee was asked to remove religious head coverings, and the only special request made during the flights was for vegetarian meals. "The US authorities have conveyed that deportees on the three chartered flights that arrived on February 5, 15, and 16, 2025, were not instructed to remove any religious head coverings and that the deportees did not request any religious accommodation during the flights, aside from asking for vegetarian meals," Singh stated.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) further explained that some detainees had already arrived at the US border without turbans, countering claims that they were forced to remove them.

The Three Military Flights and Deportation of Indians

Following Donald Trump's second term as US President beginning January 20, his administration adopted a stricter stance on immigration. In February, three military flights carrying hundreds of Indian nationals who had entered the US illegally landed in Amritsar, Punjab. Some deportees alleged mistreatment, with claims that they were asked to remove their turbans and that women were shackled while being transported in C-17 aircraft.

The issue sparked political debate in India, with the opposition questioning the Narendra Modi government about the alleged mistreatment of Indian nationals. The government's response appears to be an effort to clarify the situation and dispel speculations surrounding the matter.