Congress MP Manish Tewari and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Monday moved adjournment and suspension notices, respectively, in Parliament, calling for urgent discussions on the treatment of Indian deportees from the United States and the recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
In the Lok Sabha, Tewari urged the House to suspend Zero Hour and Question Hour to deliberate on the plight of Indian citizens deported from the U.S. and the Government of India's diplomatic response.
“According to U.S. estimates, around 7.25 lakh undocumented Indians reside in America, with 24,000 currently held in detention facilities. Of these, 487 individuals have been served final deportation orders, and 298 have been positively identified as Indian nationals,” Tewari stated.
Expressing concern over the deportation process, he highlighted allegations of mistreatment.
“Reports and visuals indicating that Indian deportees have been subjected to restrictive measures, including handcuffs, have caused deep distress and warrant careful examination. These individuals, who sought better opportunities abroad, deserve to be treated with dignity and in accordance with established human rights principles,” he said.
He called on the central government to clarify whether due process under U.S. law was followed and what diplomatic measures are being taken to safeguard the rights and dignity of Indian nationals abroad.
“In light of these developments, I urge the Government to apprise the House of the steps it has undertaken or intends to undertake to prevent any recurrence of such concerns,” Tewari demanded.
This follows the arrival of a U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals at Amritsar Airport last Wednesday. Opposition leaders criticised the government, alleging that the deportees were brought back in an "inhuman manner" aboard a military plane and were "ill-treated and handcuffed."
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Sanjay Singh moved a suspension of business notice under Rule 267, seeking an immediate discussion on the stampede at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
The tragedy on 29 January resulted in 30 fatalities and left 60 injured. Singh attributed the disaster to "mismanagement" and "VIP culture" under the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government.
Also read: World's longest traffic jam at Maha Kumbh: 300 km gridlock reaches MP
"Mahakumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth, has witnessed its sixth horrific stampede in the past 70 years. This time, the tragic disaster was a result of the mismanagement and VIP culture of the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government. Despite spending over Rs 7,500 crore on arrangements, the unequal distribution of resources was clearly evident," Singh claimed.
Highlighting alleged preferential treatment for VIPs, he added, "Luxury cottages, private Ganga baths, and a 24/7 control room were set up for VIPs and VVIPs, while ordinary devotees were left struggling amid overcrowded bridges and numerous barriers."
Singh noted that pilgrims had pleaded with police to open additional routes before the stampede but were ignored. He further alleged that a VIP pass for seamless access cost Rs 55,000 per person.
"Stampedes have a history at the Kumbh Mela—1840, 1906, 1954 (Allahabad), 1986 (Haridwar), 2003 (Nashik), 2013 (Allahabad Railway Station), and now, in 2025, another tragedy has claimed 30 lives and left over 90 injured," Singh stated.
He demanded that the Rajya Sabha suspend proceedings to debate the security and management lapses at the religious event, which has already witnessed the participation of over 340 million devotees by 3 February.
Singh's notice followed strong criticism from opposition leaders over alleged VIP privileges and inadequate security measures at the Maha Kumbh.
As Parliament witnessed these demands for accountability, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj was scheduled to lay a statement on the government's response to recommendations in the Standing Committee on External Affairs' 29th report.
The report focuses on India's policy planning and the role of think tanks.
Separately, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy was expected to present the first report on the 'Demands for Grants' (2024-25) for the Ministry of Jal Shakti, covering water resources and Ganga rejuvenation initiatives.
Also read: President Murmu to take holy dip at Maha Kumbh on Mon
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