A video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has sparked widespread outrage and prompted a response from the Indian Embassy. The incident, which reportedly occurred on June 7th, 2025, was captured on video by Kunal Jain, an Indian-American entrepreneur, and shared on social media, igniting concerns about the treatment of Indian students abroad.
Jain, who witnessed the event while waiting for his flight to Delhi, described the scene as "deeply inhumane" and a "human tragedy." The video depicts the young man, visibly distressed and in tears, being escorted by officers, his wrists bound. Jain stated that the student was being deported and, at one point, was physically pinned to the ground by the authorities. The student was pleading in Hindi, saying "Main pagal nahi hoon… yeh log mujhe pagal sabit karna chahte hain” (“I'm not mad… they're trying to prove I'm mentally unstable.”). According to Jain, the student was supposed to board the same flight as him but was not allowed to. Adding to the distressing nature of the incident, the pilot allegedly refused to allow the young man to board the flight after witnessing the situation.
In his social media posts, Jain tagged the Indian Embassy in the US and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging them to investigate the matter and provide assistance to the student. He expressed his heartbreak and helplessness, emphasizing that the student came to the US "chasing dreams, not causing harm" and was being "treated like a criminal." Jain also noted that the student appeared to be speaking Haryanavi and that there have been several similar cases recently involving Indians being deported for not adequately explaining their purpose of visit to immigration officials.
The video quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions across social media platforms. Many users expressed their shock and condemnation of the student's treatment, demanding intervention from the Indian government to ensure the safety and fair treatment of Indian students in the United States. Concerns were raised about the potential for profiling and the need for greater cultural sensitivity in dealing with international students. Some social media users questioned why Kunal Jain did not intervene to help the student.
The Consulate General of India in New York has acknowledged the incident and stated that it is in contact with local authorities. "We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport. We are in touch with local authorities in this regard," the consulate said in a statement. "The Consulate remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals."
Kunal Jain, the individual who brought the incident to light, is the President of Health Bots AI and runs the Son of India foundation in Florida. He shared his personal feelings of humiliation and heartbreak after witnessing the event, stating, "As someone who has proudly contributed to both nations, by promoting Indian talent and creating American jobs, I left that airport deeply humiliated and heartbroken. One young man's pain became a symbol of a much larger tragedy." He hopes that this incident will prompt reflection on immigration, justice, and shared humanity.
