The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively working to ensure the return of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl, Ariha, from Thane district, who has been in foster care in Germany for the past 36 months due to allegations of minor physical abuse.
The Berlin court referenced two incidents where Ariha sustained injuries: a head and back injury in April 2021 during a bath and a genital injury in September 2021, as reasons for denying custody to her biological parents and placing her under the care of Jugendamt, the German youth services.
Government Assures Action As Indian Girl Taken Away From Parents In Germany
The local Member of Parliament (MP) from Thane, Naresh Mhaske, confirmed the government’s efforts, stating that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has committed to expediting legal processes to bring the child, Ariha, back to India.
In a recent development, Minister Jaishankar reassured MP Naresh Mhaske that the Indian government is taking all necessary steps to secure Ariha’s return. The minister emphasised long-term welfare of the child would be best ensured if she was raised in her native socio-cultural environment in India. The MEA has been working diligently, raising the issue at multiple levels with German authorities, including direct discussions between Jaishankar and his German counterpart.
Legal and Diplomatic Efforts
Ariha’s parents, Bhavesh and Dhara Shah, residents of Mira Bhayander in Thane district, have been allowed to visit their daughter twice a month, thanks to ongoing legal and diplomatic efforts. These visits, which have been recently extended in duration by the courts, mark a significant step forward. Minister Jaishankar noted that it was due to India’s intervention that the German Youth Welfare Authorities chose not to appeal the court orders granting visitation rights to the parents.
Promoting Cultural Familiarity
The MEA, along with embassy officials in Berlin, is making concerted efforts to introduce Ariha to her Indian cultural roots. To this end, they have provided resources on Jainism, Indian festivals, and cultural traditions to the foster parents with a request for their appropriate use. Additionally, embassy officials have arranged visits to Indian temples and are working on plans to teach the toddler Gujarati or Hindi, ensuring she remains connected to her native language and culture.
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