In a significant development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has intensified efforts to secure the repatriation of Ariha Shah, a 27-month-old Indian girl who has been in foster care in Berlin, Germany since September 2021. Ariha’s mother, Dhara Shah, expressed her renewed hope and gratitude after the Indian government’s strong statement urging German authorities to send her daughter back to India.
The ordeal began when Dhara Shah and her husband took Ariha to a doctor after discovering blood in her diaper. Once the doctor gave them the all-clear, the family returned home. However, during a subsequent follow-up visit to the hospital, Ariha was unexpectedly handed over to German child services, and baseless allegations of sexual abuse were made against her parents.
Recognizing the importance of preserving Ariha’s linguistic, religious, cultural, and social environment, the Indian government emphasized that it was crucial for the child to be reunited with her family in India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi reiterated that Ariha’s continued stay in German foster care not only infringed upon her rights but also raised deep concerns for both the Indian government and her parents.
“We would like to reiterate that Ariha Shah is an Indian national, and her nationality and socio-cultural background are the most important determinants of where her foster care is to be provided,” stated Bagchi. He further urged German authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure Ariha’s swift return to India, emphasizing that it was her inalienable right as an Indian citizen.
The Indian government’s stance has garnered significant support from within the country’s political spectrum. CPI(M) MP John Brittas, along with 58 other parliamentarians from 19 different political parties, joined forces to address a joint letter to the German Ambassador to India, urging the repatriation of the two-year-old baby girl. This united effort highlights the widespread concern and the determination to bring Ariha back to her home country.
Expressing her optimism, Dhara Shah stated that she believed Prime Minister-level intervention would hasten the process of reuniting her with her daughter. The emotional plea for the return of Ariha Shah has sparked a nationwide conversation about the protection of children’s rights and the significance of preserving their cultural identity.
The Indian government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe return of Ariha Shah has given hope not only to her parents but also to countless individuals across the country. The collective voice of the parliamentarians reflects the nation’s firm belief that every child should grow up in an environment that respects their linguistic, religious, cultural, and social heritage.
As the case gains increasing attention, both in India and abroad, it is hoped that the German authorities will recognize the importance of reuniting Ariha with her family in India. The hopes and prayers of a nation are firmly aligned with the objective of bringing Ariha back to her rightful home, where she can once again flourish within her own cultural milieu.
