NCP (SP) MLA Awhad comes in handcuffs to Vidhan Bhavan

Dr Awhad, a former minister, protested against the Centre’s silence over the inhuman treatment of Indian immigrants from the United States.

Mumbai: Close on the heels of Congress MLAs in Gujarat and Left parties’ MLAs in Bihar, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar’s close aide and Maharashtra legislator Jitendra Awhad entered the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Mumbai handcuffed to protest against the inhuman treatment of Indian immigrants from United States.

Dr Awhad, a former minister, protested against the Centre’s silence over the issue.

"The way Indians are facing injustice in America and they are being tied and deported, there is a problem of visas, no Indian is safe in America,” he said, adding that the Central government is not speaking anything on the issue.

“Along with this, the US is sending thousands of Indians back to India in military aircraft with their hands and feet shackled. While this is also a very wrong thing happening to our countrymen, the central government is sitting idle,” he said as he entered the Vidhan Bhavan complex on the first day of the budget session.

“Even if the citizens sent to India are deported, it is the job of this central government to preserve their dignity as Indians. Through this symbolic protest against this government, I want to say that America is not our master ..there is no reason to fear them,” he said and slammed the Donald Trump administration. 

“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,” said.