A storm of controversy has erupted following the return of Sikh deportees from the United States, with reports revealing that several individuals were seen without their turbans upon arrival at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.
On February 15, 116 illegal Indian immigrants returned to Amritsar, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing the deportees seated on the floor of the airport, visibly without their turbans. The footage quickly went viral, with many expressing their anger at the treatment of the deportees.
According to reports, some deportees revealed they were ordered to remove their turbans upon entering the US, an action that has drawn sharp condemnation from Sikh religious bodies and political leaders. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal have accused US authorities of infringing on Sikh identity by allegedly forcing the detainees to take off their turbans during their detention.
In response to the controversy, SGPC officials were dispatched to the airport to provide turbans to the affected deportees. SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal expressed regret over the treatment, emphasizing that the turban is an essential symbol of Sikh faith and identity. He also stated that the SGPC would raise the issue with US authorities, seeking an explanation for the actions taken.
Bikram Singh Majithia, a prominent leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, also condemned the actions of US officials and urged India’s Ministry of External Affairs to take swift and decisive action to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.
This incident comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, where discussions regarding the return of undocumented immigrants were reportedly part of broader talks with US officials, as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration.
The controversy has sparked broader political debates, with opposition leaders questioning the motives behind the deportations and the Indian government’s role in facilitating the return of these immigrants. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has accused opposition parties of exaggerating the issue for political gain.
Following the initial flight, which brought 116 deportees, subsequent flights have brought a total of 332 illegal Indian immigrants back to Amritsar. This rising number has led to further scrutiny and calls for transparency regarding the handling of deportations and the treatment of Indian nationals abroad.
