3.5 years Indian baby Trapped alone in Germany since Sept 2021
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For over 21 months Ariha Shah is separated from her parents Indian culture and values by Child Services in Berlin because of injury 3 years back.
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Parents have lost the long custody battle and now Ariha lives alone in German foster care.
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Indian Government is trying hard to get its citizen back, but Germany is paying no heed and Germanizing this small child.
Ariha's Delay is not Because case is Subjudice but is a Diplomatic Issue
Ariha, born to a Jain family, is supposed to practice Ahimsa.
Instead, she's being fed eggs and non-vegetarian food, such as sushi, which is against her religious beliefs.
Ariha is not allowed to learn her mother tongue Gujarati, Indian national language Hindi or universally spoken language English.
Ariha is sent to German Kitta and not billingual kitta. Though community told we will pay for her extra fees. This is serious act of Germanising a foreign national child.
Ariha is not allowed to play with Indian children or participate in Indian festivals and events. She is completely isolated from her community and her extended family.
In her 3 years stay in German foster, total 4 foster carers have been changed. She is not been given stability which is great concern for her psycological development.
Indian Government's Stand
"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".
- MEA India, 2nd June '23
German Court's Stand
The German court has stated that they cannot send Ariha back to India because they cannot evaluate the Indian child protection system and have no jurisdiction over India.
But so many children have been sent back to India from Norway, USA, UK and even Germany has sent many children back to Turkey, Romania, UK and other countries.
German Government's Stand
The German government has stated that they cannot send Ariha back to India because there is no existing treaty with India that facilitates the return of a child in such circumstances. They want India to sign Hegue Treaty in return of Ariha.
But Hague Treaty is not applicable. Under UN Convention for the Rights of the Child to which India and Germany are party, international cooperation for best interests of the child is the rule.