Germany: Ariha Shah was just 7 months when she was separated from her Indian parents and handed over to foster care in last September by the German authorities. The court that made the ruling had stated that the child had been ‘sexually abused’ by her parents-Dhara and Bhavesh.
There has been increasing calls to bring Ariha back home to her parents. Last month, her parents made an appeal to External Affairs Ministry to repatriate their daughter back to India. The Indian community in Frankfurt has staged protest demanding repatriation of the girl. Around 150-200 protestors have gathered to mark a peaceful protest over the custodial issue. The protestors have emphasized that cultural rights of child are being violated and appeals from Indian authorities are being ignored.
‘Very delicate matter’
The Extrernal Affairs minister S. Jaishankar had discussed the matter with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in December last year. Jaishankar has descibed ‘very delicate matter’ and stated that regimes from both nations are doing their best to resolve the matter under the current conditions.
MEA spokesperosn Arindam Bagchi had stated “We would like to reiterate that Ariha Shah is an Indian national and her nationality and socio-cultural background is the most important determinant of where her foster care is to be provided. We urge German authorities to do all that is necessary to send Ariha to India at the earliest, which is also her inalienable right as an Indian national. We remain committed to ensuring the return of Ariha Shah to India.”
He also stated that MEA and Indian Embassy in Berlin are doing their best to advocate the return of girl child to India.
‘Then my daughter will return soon‘
Ariha’s mother Dhara Shah has been separated from her daughter for over 20 months now. While talking to ANI she stated that she has trust in Indian government and has requested that there should be a Prime Minister level intervention. “Then my daughter will return soon,” she added further.
The German authorities had earlier charged Bhavesh and Dhara for assault but later accused them of negligence. The case against them was dropped but the baby was not retuned to them. Jugendamt (child welfare agency) then made the case for termination of parental rights and gaining permanent custody of Ariha. The custodial matter has now extended over 15 months and has gained wide traction in media.
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