Radio collaring of Indian students in US 'inhuman': BJP

Expressing concern over the plight of scores of Indian students radio-tagged by the US authorities, BJP today demanded the government "pro-actively" take up the issue with that country.

"The ministry of external affairs will have to be more assertive in making sure that the students are not denied justice in any way," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

"... we already feel that the students have been put to absolute inhuman treatment. They are not cattle in a ranch to be given an electronic gadget, to be collared, and to be monitored every minute of their stay there," she said.

After being duped by California-based Tri-Valley University, scores of Indian students in the US are now enduring the ignominy of being forced to wear radio collars around their ankles so that authorities can keep track of their movements.

The students, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, may also be deported as authorities shut down the University on charges of a massive immigration fraud.

Sitharaman maintained that the BJP was very concerned about the state of affairs and the condition of Indian students, who for no fault of theirs, had enrolled in a university which apparently was registered by law in the US.

"The government of India was only giving a delayed response. Now again due to the media and the students own parents, the government of India seems to be taking steps which are not adequate," she said.

BJP said that the students were not at fault as they had followed all legal procedures and alleged that the treatment meted out to them violates their "human and fundamental rights".

"We condemn this. The US government should understand that these students have after all gone there with their visa duly obtained. If the university is illegal, it was for them to sort the matter out," she said.

BJP demanded that the Indian government take a "far more proactive role" to ensure that these students are absolutely safe and not treated in a way which they are violative of their fundamental right.

"The government should assert its right and make sure the US government gives them access to proper judicial process and ensure that these students are given an option of wanting to further pursue or come back," Sitharaman said.

Describing the collaring of students as "degrading", Sitharaman said they were living in an "uncertain, insecure environment".