NEW DELHI: The Indian National Congress launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government on Friday, condemning a controversial social media advertisement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that targeted "Mr. Singh" with self-deportation warnings. Terming the Modi administration "weak," opposition leaders argued that the central government has failed to strongly advocate for national interests and protect the dignity of Indians abroad.
The controversy erupted after the US Department of Homeland Security used AI-generated imagery on X (formerly Twitter) for a campaign against unlicensed commercial drivers. The advertisement featured a brown-bearded, turbaned man accompanied by provocative taglines including, "Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive Mr. Singh" and "Self-deport or find out." Although the post was subsequently deleted following intense public outcry and widespread backlash from civil rights groups, the department reportedly continued to defend the campaign's language, sparking further outrage.
Reacting sharply to the incident, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy approach. Ramesh noted that PM Modi has frequently highlighted his personal rapport with US leadership—pointing to past slogans like "Abki Baar Trump Sarkar"—yet Indian nationals and people of Indian origin continue to face repeated disrespect under the current diplomatic climate.
"Modi ji, who has been showcasing his international clout by calling Donald Trump his 'friend', is now seeing continuous insults against Indians and people of Indian origin under his administration," Ramesh posted on X. "Yet, the Modi government is behaving as if it is a silent partner in this entire episode... This is not just an insult to one individual or community—it is an insult to the dignity of all Indians."
Ramesh further questioned the government's silence, recalling previous instances where Indian nationals were allegedly sent back in handcuffs and leg shackles on US military aircraft, alongside unilateral tariffs imposed on India by Washington. "Why has our diplomatic strength become so feeble... that India's interests and sovereignty are facing one blow after another?" he asked, asserting that national interest and citizen dignity must remain paramount over personal foreign policy friendships.
Echoing similar concerns, Congress Legislature Party leader in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, drew a sharp comparison between past and present political eras regarding India's global stature.
"There was a time when 'Singh is King' captured the stature of India's Prime Minister. Dr. Manmohan Singh commanded enormous respect in Washington," Bajwa stated. Lamenting the current diplomatic reality, he added, "Today, the Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security targets 'Mr. Singh'... What a tragic fall from 'Singh is King' to 'Mr. Singh, get off our roads'."
Bajwa emphasized that the humiliation of a Sikh individual is an affront to every Punjabi and Indian citizen. The Congress leaders have demanded that the Modi government issue a clear public response and explain why it remains hesitant to stand firm against foreign policies that undermine India's global dignity.
