A group of 56 Indian travellers has accused Georgian immigration officials of subjecting them to degrading and inhumane treatment while attempting to enter Georgia from Armenia. The incident allegedly occurred at the Sadakhlo border checkpoint, the primary land crossing between the two nations.

According to an Instagram post by Dhruvee Patel, one of the group members, the tourists had valid e-visas and all necessary documents but were still detained for over five hours in freezing weather. The group, which included elderly people and women, was reportedly denied access to basic necessities like food, water, and toilets during this period.

 

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Allegations of Passport Confiscation and Harassment

Patel’s social media post claimed that the Georgian authorities confiscated the group’s passports for more than two hours without any explanation. She alleged that the travellers were forced to sit on the footpath “like cattle” and were filmed by officials as if they were “criminals.”

The group was allegedly barred from recording videos of the incident, with authorities providing no proper communication or justification for the delay. Patel wrote that the officers refused to review their documents and simply dismissed their visas as “wrong,” without clarification.

Call for Government Intervention

Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in her post, Patel urged the Indian government to take strong diplomatic action. “India must take a strong stand,” she wrote, adding that the treatment they received was “shameful and unacceptable.”

The post quickly gained traction on social media, prompting discussions about the treatment of Indian citizens abroad, particularly in Georgia. Patel concluded her post with a stark message: “This is how Georgia treats Indians. Shameful & unacceptable!”

Social Media Erupts with Similar Accounts

The post drew widespread attention, with several users sharing similar experiences at Georgian borders. One user noted, “This isn’t the first post I’ve seen about Georgia. It’s been bad and happening for a long time now.” Another questioned why Indian tourists continue to visit Georgia despite repeated reports of mistreatment.

Several comments alleged a deeper issue of racial profiling by Georgian immigration authorities. A user linked to a news article citing consistent reports of discriminatory behaviour against Indian nationals.

Past Travellers Share Warnings

Some travellers who previously visited Georgia weighed in with their personal experiences. A user recalled facing similar concerns when entering from Russia in 2019. While they were ultimately allowed in and had an enjoyable trip, they acknowledged having heard several warnings beforehand.

“For the last many years they have been creating problems for Indians. That’s a sad story,” the traveller said, adding weight to growing concerns about a pattern of behaviour by Georgian border officials.

Ongoing Concerns Over Racial Profiling

Many of the comments under Patel’s post reflected ongoing frustration among Indian tourists regarding how they are treated in certain countries. The specific targeting of Indian travellers, even those with proper documentation, has raised alarms about possible systemic discrimination.

Despite multiple such incidents coming to light over the years, Georgian authorities have not issued a formal explanation. There has also been no immediate comment from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, although pressure is mounting for an official response.

Tourism Warnings May Follow

With social media platforms continuing to see testimonials of alleged mistreatment, travellers are urging the Indian government to issue an advisory on travelling to Georgia. Tourism industry experts warn that such repeated incidents could damage Georgia’s reputation as a safe destination for Indian nationals.

Until then, calls for accountability and diplomatic intervention continue to grow, as Indian citizens seek safer and more respectful international travel experiences.

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