Today it is difficult to be an Indian and not to be ashamed. It is because of the treatment meted out to the deportees of Indian origin who were humiliated on their way back to India.
The US is a country of immigrants. Historians tell us that when Columbus set his foot in North America in 1492, the population of the area of the present day US was about 40 to 50 million (4 to 5 crore). The colonialists treated the original inhabitants in such an atrocious way that now the original inhabitants are just 2 percent of the US’ present population of 340 million (34 crore). This is a glimpse of what European colonialists did to the native population.
It is unfortunate that US president Trump is treating the unauthorised immigrants as criminals. It is estimated that the total number of such immigrants in America is about 10 million. America requires a large number of such immigrants for low paid jobs. Indians attracted by the American dream of success and prosperity also have migrated to the US. The number of such overstaying Indian immigrants is reported to be more than 7 lakh. Trump has adopted a policy of crackdown on these immigrants. It is being done in a vindictive way, ignoring all principles of human dignity and civilized behaviour.
India has agreed that it will take back all Indians who overstayed or entered the US illegally. But what was the need of the humiliating treatment meted out to the first batch of 104 Indians who were thrown out recently. The batch had women and children also.
We Indians hang our heads in shame on the humiliation with which these poor immigrants, handcuffed and shackled, were sent back to India in a US military aircraft. Even women were not shown an iota of mercy and kindness. The inhuman and insulting treatment is a matter of shame for American citizens also. They should not have treated these poor immigrants in the most objectionable way. It is against the fundamental human rights and the standards of humane treatment vouched by the US constitution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Trump his bosom friend. Way back in 2020 he had famously raised slogans Abkibaar, Trump Sarkar. And we hear that PM Modi is going to meet Trump as scheduled earlier. Every Indian wants that this meet should be cancelled. It is grossly against the dignity and self respect of India.
We should learn from the smaller countries like Colombia, Mexico, etc. who ensured that the deported citizens must be treated respectfully. They are not criminals but those who contributed to the economy and prosperity of America. Those who wanted to share the American dream and who were engaged in lower jobs which the well placed US citizens are not ready to do. Colombia, a small country of 5 crore population with a small GDP, refused permission to US military aircraft which brought the deportees from the US. It sent its own aircraft to bring home its citizens with full respect and dignity. When 25% Tariff was imposed on Mexico, it responded with same percentage of Tariff on US imports. The President of Mexico, a lady, gave a fitting reply to Trump by saying that Mexico does not mind American sanctions and it would also pay Trump in the same coin.
The question is why Modiji is so frightened with the US. After all we are a great country with vast resources and the most valuable asset of a population of 145 crore citizens. And what about the dreams of becoming the 5 trillion economy. PM Modi must take a principled and strong stand against the US arrogance. If we require US cooperation, America also needs us. We can stand on our own feet.
India must safeguard its self respect and never bow down to any tyrant or any arrogant world leader.