CPM MP John Brittas seeks EAM Jaishankar's intervention during German Chancellor's visit over Baby Ariha Shah case
New Delhi, January 7
John Brittas, CPI MP from Kerala, has written a letter to the Union Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, urging urgent high-level diplomatic intervention during the forthcoming visit of the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to secure the repatriation of Baby Ariha Shah, an Indian citizen who has remained in foster care in Germany for over four and a half years despite the closure of all criminal allegations against her parents.
In his letter, Brittas highlighted that Ariha, now approximately five years old, continues to remain under the custody of German Child Services even after the German hospital concerned has categorically ruled out any evidence of abuse and a court-appointed psychologist has recommended restoration of parental custody. Yet, German authorities persist in pursuing termination of parental rights and adoption within Germany.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala John Brittas underscored that Ariha is a passport-holding Indian citizen whose rights to family life, cultural identity, language and religion - guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - are being violated.
He expressed serious concern over reports that the child is being deprived of contact with her extended family in India and denied participation in Indian cultural practices.
Drawing attention to the child's emotional vulnerability, Brittas said that Ariha's foster placement has been changed five times, depriving her of any stable caregiving environment. At present, the only consistent emotional support in her life consists of bi-monthly parental visits - a fragile arrangement that now faces uncertainty due to the parents' visa limitations in Germany. This matter has also been raised by several Members of Parliament, reflecting broad national concern over the humanitarian dimensions of the case.
He emphasised that the forthcoming first official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on 12 - 13 January presents a critical diplomatic opportunity to resolve the issue at the highest political level.
He urged that the matter be taken up decisively during the bilateral engagement to ensure a humane and lawful outcome in the best interests of the child.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by MP Brittas. This is not just a legal issue but a humanitarian one. When even their own court-appointed psychologist recommends returning the child, why is Germany being so stubborn? It feels like a case of cultural misunderstanding or worse, prejudice. Hope the Chancellor's visit brings a solution.
While I fully support bringing Ariha home, I hope our diplomacy is firm but respectful. We must advocate for the child's best interest, not just make it a point of national pride. The focus should be on her stability and right to be with her biological parents, which the evidence supports.
As someone living abroad, I see how child services can sometimes overreach. But 4.5 years after allegations are closed? Denying her Indian culture is cruel. She deserves to grow up knowing her festivals, her language, and her grandparents. This visit is the perfect chance to resolve this.
The system has failed this family completely. No evidence of abuse, yet they want to terminate parental rights? It's baffling. Our MEA has been quiet for too long on this. Glad MPs are pushing. Jaishankar sir, please bring our daughter home. 🙏
Respectfully, while the emotional appeal is strong, we must also ensure our approach is correct. The article says the parents have visa limitations. Has our embassy provided them full consular support throughout? Sometimes our system is also slow. Hope this high-level intervention cuts through all red tape, both there and here.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.