Indian Consulate Steps In After Viral Video Shows Student Handcuffed, Pinned Down At Newark Airport
Viral video shows Indian student handcuffed, pinned at Newark Airport; Indian Embassy responds, says it's in touch with U.S. authorities to ensure the student's welfare and investigate the incident.
A disturbing video showing an Indian student being restrained and handcuffed by U.S. authorities at Newark Liberty International Airport has sparked a wave of outrage online — prompting the Indian Embassy in New York to issue an official response.
The footage, which quickly went viral, captures a deeply emotional and troubling moment: the student is seen crying out in Hindi while being pinned to the ground by at least four airport officials. Two officers can be seen kneeling on his back, while his arms and legs appear to be restrained. The clip has since ignited widespread criticism, with many calling the treatment excessive and dehumanizing.
The video was first shared by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, who witnessed the incident firsthand. “I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night—handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal,” Jain wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy.”
Jain urged the Indian Embassy to investigate the matter and extend help to the student.
Indian Embassy Steps In
In response to the growing backlash, the Indian Consulate in New York acknowledged the incident and confirmed that it is in communication with local U.S. authorities.
“We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national faced difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport,” the Consulate said in an official statement. “We are in touch with local authorities in this regard. The Consulate remains ever committed to the welfare of Indian nationals.”
While the student's identity and the exact circumstances surrounding the deportation remain unclear, the video shows him pleading in Hindi: “Main pagal nahi hoon, yeh mujhe pagal bana rahe hain... Main pagal nahi hoon, yeh mujhe pagal sabit kar rahe hain,” which translates to, “I’m not mad; they’re trying to make me mad, trying to prove I am mad.”
Jain believes the incident was likely caused by a communication breakdown, not a security threat.
“It’s not that he couldn’t understand English—he was just disoriented and stressed,” Jain said. “Something might have gone wrong at the port of entry. If they believed he was mentally unstable, there are more humane ways to handle such situations. His dignity didn’t have to be stripped like this.”
Flashbacks to Earlier Deportations
The incident has resurfaced painful memories of earlier deportations involving Indian nationals. In February, during a broader immigration crackdown, over 100 Indians were sent back from the U.S. in chains. Video footage shared by U.S. authorities at the time showed deportees with shackled wrists and ankles, forced into a shuffling walk reminiscent of scenes from a prison transfer. The visuals drew fierce criticism in India, with opposition parties slamming the government for not taking stronger diplomatic steps to protect its citizens abroad.
Now, as images of another Indian being restrained in public resurface, questions are once again being raised: Are Indian nationals being treated fairly at U.S. borders? And is enough being done diplomatically to protect their rights?
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