The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session commenced today, with legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties arriving in large numbers. However, it was NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad who grabbed attention as he entered the Vidhan Bhavan complex wearing handcuffs. His unusual protest drew media curiosity, prompting journalists to question the reason behind his dramatic gesture.
#WATCH | Mumbai: NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Ahwad comes out in handcuffs as he lodges his protest against the deportation of illegal immigrants from the US.
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025
He says, "The way Indians are facing injustice in America and they are being tied and deported, there is a problem of visas,… pic.twitter.com/3o2OHIaiy3
Speaking to the media, Awhad stated, “There is a growing attack on freedom of expression in this country. Activists and individuals who dare to speak out are being silenced through criminal charges. Our constitutional right to express ourselves is under threat. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, and everyone must be able to voice their opinions. Since we are being denied this right, I am symbolically wearing these shackles.”
Awhad also addressed the ongoing crisis faced by Indians in the United States. He strongly criticised former US President Donald Trump’s visa policies, claiming that they have destroyed the lives of many Indians.
“Trump’s restrictive visa rules are breaking families apart. Recently, we witnessed Indian immigrants being deported in large numbers—crammed into planes, shackled, and treated like criminals. Many of them were forced to endure long flights without proper restroom facilities and on empty stomachs. This is a disgraceful act that insults our people. Numerous families from Maharashtra are affected, and dreams of young Indians aspiring to build a future in America are being shattered,” Awhad lamented.
'America Will Continue To Exploit And Mistreat Us': Jitendra Awhad
Further intensifying his criticism, Awhad warned that failing to speak up against such injustices would be detrimental to India. “If we remain silent about the injustices faced by our fellow Indians abroad, it will set a dangerous precedent. America will continue to exploit and mistreat us. I have worn these shackles as a symbolic protest to highlight the suffering of our brothers and sisters in the US I urge every Indian to raise their voice against these human rights violations. There is no need to fear America—America is not our master,” he declared.