Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 10: A shocking incident at Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States has sparked intense debate and concern after a video showing an Indian man being pinned to the ground and restrained by multiple officers went viral. The man, reportedly a student, was seen being tied at the hands and legs, with officials using force to subdue him as onlookers watched in silence.

The incident was captured by Kunal Jain, an Indian-American entrepreneur, who described the event as "deeply unsettling" and a "human tragedy."

Recounting the harrowing moment, Jain told NDTV, "There were around 50 people standing in the queue, but nobody dared to intervene or question the authorities." He noted that the young Indian appeared visibly disoriented and possibly mentally distressed, which may have led officials to view him as a threat.

“He was not in his senses, maybe due to stress or panic. He wasn’t allowed to board the flight. When the pilot refused to take him, officers physically restrained him and later handcuffed and tied him down,” Jain added emotionally.

According to Jain, the root of the issue appeared to be a communication barrier. The man, reportedly a Haryanvi-speaking Indian national, struggled to communicate with US officials, who were unable to understand Hindi.

"He kept shouting, 'Main pagal nahi hoon, yeh mujhe pagal bana rahe hain' (I'm not mad, they are trying to make me mad). He was pleading, confused, and in distress,” Jain said.

Jain offered to translate, hoping to de-escalate the situation, but was denied. "Instead of allowing me to help, they called in more officers," he said.

Jain, who said he broke down in tears witnessing the public humiliation, described the moment as something no person should ever have to endure. "At least seven to eight officers pinned him down publicly. His dignity was completely stripped,” he said.

He called it a collective failure, adding: "This is not what young Indian students deserve. They come here with dreams, paying hefty tuition fees, and if they can't land a job post-graduation, they fall into visa traps, becoming undocumented and vulnerable."

Following the public uproar, the Indian Consulate in New York issued a statement:

"We have come across social media posts regarding an Indian national facing difficulties at Newark Airport. We are in touch with local authorities in this regard. The Consulate remains ever committed to the welfare of Indian Nationals."

The video has sparked massive outrage on social media, with many calling out racial profiling, excessive force, and lack of cultural sensitivity.

Activists and members of the Indian diaspora have urged both US authorities and the Indian government to ensure accountability and transparency in the investigation.