Indian MP Seeks Urgent Repatriation of Baby Ariha During German Chancellor's India Visit

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New Delhi - In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, CPI MP John Brittas has called for swift action to secure the repatriation of baby Ariha Shah, an Indian citizen who has been in foster care in Germany for over four years. Despite being cleared of abuse allegations, Ariha remains in German custody, sparking concerns over her rights as an Indian citizen. Ariha's case has been ongoing since September 2021, when she was taken into care at just seven months old. Now nearly five years old, she has been placed in five different foster homes, depriving her of a stable environment. Her parents, who are Jain, have been denied custody despite a court-appointed psychologist recommending restoration. MP Brittas sees the upcoming visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a crucial opportunity to address this humanitarian crisis. He argues that it's a matter of international law, citing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which both Germany and India have signed. Ariha's rights, including her cultural identity and language, are being violated, Brittas claims. The MP also highlights the emotional toll on the child, who has been fed a non-vegetarian diet despite her family's requests for a vegetarian diet. He emphasizes that the current situation is 'profoundly unjust' and calls for decisive action from the Indian government to ensure Ariha's safe return to her family. This case has garnered national attention, with several Members of Parliament raising concerns over the humanitarian dimensions of the issue. As the German chancellor prepares to visit India, Brittas urges the government to take up Ariha's case decisively, seeking a humane and lawful outcome in the best interests of the child.