Indian student violently pinned, handcuffed at US airport as viral video sparks outrage over abuse

A disturbing video showing an Indian student handcuffed, pinned to the floor, and forcibly restrained by multiple US officials at Newark Airport has gone viral, drawing public outrage and prompting a response from the Indian Embassy.

The student, whose identity has not been revealed, was reportedly disoriented and struggled to communicate in English when US authorities attempted to deport him. Eyewitness footage captured at least four officers restraining him, with two seen kneeling on his back. His hands and legs were tied as he cried out in Hindi, “Main pagal nahi hoon, yeh mujhe pagal bana rahe hain.” ("I am not mad, they are trying to make me mad.")

The video was first shared by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, who was present at the airport and attempted to intervene. "I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night — handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy,” Jain posted on X.

In a statement issued the next day, the Indian Consulate in New York acknowledged the incident, saying, "We have seen social media posts regarding an Indian national who faced difficulties at Newark Airport. We are in touch with local authorities. The Consulate remains committed to the welfare of Indian nationals."

Jain was quoted as saying by NDTV he was shocked by the severity of the response. “There were about 50 people around, but no one stepped forward. He appeared confused and mildly aggressive, likely due to stress. The officials didn’t understand Hindi, and he was speaking in a Haryanvi dialect. I offered to help interpret, but they refused and instead called more officers.”

According to Jain, the situation escalated when the student was denied boarding. “They called the pilot, and he refused to take him, saying he was a threat. That’s when they pinned him to the floor and restrained him in front of everyone. Seven or eight officers were involved. It was deeply humiliating.”

Jain added that the man’s distress appeared to stem from miscommunication and mental disorientation, not aggression. “It’s hard to believe he didn’t understand English at all. He was likely stressed and confused. Immigration may have denied him entry for appearing unstable, but they could have handled it with dignity.”

The incident has drawn comparisons to previous deportations of Indian nationals under harsh conditions. In February, over 100 Indians deported from the US were filmed in shackles and handcuffs, evoking widespread criticism in India. Opposition leaders had then slammed the Centre for failing to repatriate its citizens with dignity.

As the video continues to stir debate online, questions grow about how immigration officials handle vulnerable individuals and whether enough is being done to protect the rights and dignity of Indian nationals abroad.